‘Turn and Face the Strain’: Continuity and Change on Kos during the Mycenaean Late Palatial and Early Post-palatial Periods. Orea|Punta di Zambrone I Oriental and European Archaeology Volume 17|

This paper analyses the socio-political trajectories of Kos in the wider eastern Mediterranean context during the second part of the Palatial period and the early stages of the Post-palatial period of Mycenaean civilisation. To do so, elements of continuity and change from Late Helladic (LH) IIIB throughout LH IIIC Early are examined with reference to settlement distribution and architecture, burial landscape and tomb typology, and the quantity and quality of significant finds. The evidence indicates that LH IIIB was a phase of wealth and expansion on Kos, suggesting that during the 13th century BCE, the island may have played a prominent political role in the southeast Aegean. In addition, the analysis of the burial landscape implies a well-organised use of the space, possibly reflecting a solid and clearly defined social structure. The LH IIIB – LH IIIC Early transition on Kos was typified by signs of social uncertainty and upheaval, including an emphasis on the display of weapons at Langada and a fire destruction event at the settlement of the ‘Serraglio’. During LH IIIC Early, the number of sites attested on Kos decreased from LH IIIB, suggesting that the local population may have concentrated at the ‘Serraglio’. There is also evidence for a more fluid social structure, as suggested by the less organised spatial arrangement of the tombs at Langada. At least two elements, however, indicate the continuation of a certain degree of wealth and vivacity in the Koan community: an increase in the quantity and quality of the jewellery and an expansion in the diversity of imported ceramics, adornments, and bronze implements. Among these imports, a special case is represented by the concentration on Kos of Italian/European-type bronze objects, with a peak between late LH IIIB and LH IIIC Middle. The prompt reaction of the Koan community to the crisis following the collapse of Mycenaean Palatial society at the LH IIIB - LH IIIC Early transition may have been one of the key factors that led Kos to play a major role in the flourishing of the so-called East Aegean Koine during the successive LH IIIC Middle phase