13th Archaeological Conference of central Germany, 181-195. (original) (raw)

The time period in Greek prehistory defined as the ‘Bronze Age’ lasts roughly for two millennia. From the later part of the period, the 2nd millennium BC, we have both texts and other material culture remains as sources of evidence for a discussion on how time was perceived, defined and even administered. Time in human terms is understood and delegated on the basis of the movements of celestial bodies, namely the sun, the moon and the (visible) planets, they therefore constitute the focus of interest here. First the evidence of written texts is examined, mostly the Linear B records dating to the later half of the millennium. It has long been established that the Linear B tablet registrations make explicit references to years and months, and some of the month names were also recorded and are in this way known. The parameters of month definition on the tablets pertain to religious practices and events, but what was of course of interest to the authorities was the administrative and economic aspect of this time management. Along with the textual evidence, there is also a more challenging set of evidence, that of material remains in general. We have iconographic evidence on seals and preserved seal impressions of the sun, the moon, the sky and the stars. Recent archaeological finds include a possible sun-decorated warrior armor from Pylos in Messenia as well as more seal iconographic evidence, that have the potential to update the discussion on the importance of celestial symbols and Minoan-Mycenaean iconography and religion. Iconographic evidence appears to be more challenging because it allows for a variety of interpretations with its inherent ambiguity. The meaning and eventual importance of celestial bodies in Aegean iconography of the 2nd mill. BC is assessed and discussed in conjunction with the previously known textual evidence.