Local Exchange in Prehistoric Cyprus: An Initial Assessment of Picrolite
Evidence for pre-Bronze Age Cypriot contacts is exceedingly rare. Picrolite, a soft, attractive rock, was used throughout the period, and preliminary analysis (Xenophontos 1991: 127-38) suggests that it was derived as water-worn pebbles from the Karyotis and Kouris rivers. Examination of its use in...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
The University of Chicago Press
1991
|
| In: |
Bulletin of ASOR
Year: 1991, Volume: 282/283, Pages: 107-126 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
|
| Summary: | Evidence for pre-Bronze Age Cypriot contacts is exceedingly rare. Picrolite, a soft, attractive rock, was used throughout the period, and preliminary analysis (Xenophontos 1991: 127-38) suggests that it was derived as water-worn pebbles from the Karyotis and Kouris rivers. Examination of its use in the Chalcolithic period reveals marked inter- and intrasite inequalities. A reciprocal exchange network, associated with social divisions and perhaps marriage alliances, is postulated. The material was primarily exchanged in raw form, and nonspecialists produced items locally. Although Erimi may have grown large because of its advantageous location beside the major source, there is still no evidence that this led to the formation of hierarchical society based on the control of the prized resource. The limited evidence rather suggests that the picrolite network sustained existing sociopolitical structures. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2161-8062 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: American Schools of Oriental Research, Bulletin of ASOR
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/1357265 |