A recent archaeological study has shed new light on the social structure of ancient Mycenaean communities, suggesting that these societies were less elitist and more egalitarian than previously believed. The research, published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology by Susan Lupack, is based on a detailed analysis of clay tablets written in Linear B that document land tenure in Pylos.
Until now, studies on Mycenaean society have placed considerable emphasis on elites and administrative centers known as “palaces”. These elites were seen as the main actors in the economy and culture, accumulating exotic goods and producing prestige objects. However, the new study suggests a more complex social reality.
The core of Lupack’s study lies in the EP and EA tablet series, which record the lands of two distinct damoi (districts): pa-ki-ja-ne and ti-no. In pa-ki-ja-ne, home to the main sanctuary of Pylos, the lands are distributed unequally, with religious personnel occupying the largest plots. In contrast, in ti-no, the lands are distributed more equitably among artisans and shepherds.
The comparison between the two tablet series reveals a different picture of Mycenaean society. While pa-ki-ja-ne presents a marked hierarchy, ti-no reflects a more equitable social structure. This finding suggests that typical Mycenaean society might have been less hierarchical than previously thought, with a more egalitarian land distribution in some communities.
The study also identifies three spheres of power in Mycenaean society: the palace administration, the sanctuaries, and the districts or damoi. Although the palace, headed by the wanax (king), represented the administrative center, the sanctuaries and district governments also had significant influence.
Land tenure documents were administered by collectives known as ko-to-no-o-ko, who managed the lands within the damoi. Despite palace control, daily life in the damoi was centered on local communities, with social and economic networks independent of palatial control.
The EP and EA tablets follow a standardized format, recording the name of the landholder, their title, the type of land, and its size. This record allows for a precise comparison of the individuals’ status. In pa-ki-ja-ne, many landholders performed religious roles, while in ti-no, the variety of professions was greater.
Lupack’s research offers a new perspective on Mycenaean society, emphasizing the need to look beyond the elites and palaces to understand the complexity of these ancient communities.
This approach promises to open new avenues of research on the social structures of the Mycenaean world, challenging preconceived notions about these ancient societies.
SOURCES
Lupack S. (2024), How elitist were typical Mycenaean communities? Investigating relative status in Mycenaean damoi through the landholders of the Pylos EP and EA series, Oxford Journal of Archaeology, doi: doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12302.
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