Early Cycladic Sculpture in Context

The sculpture of the Early Bronze Age Cyclades has been systematically studied since the time of Christos Tsountas at the end of the 19th century. But that study has been hampered by the circumstance that so many of the subsequent finds come from unauthorised excavations, where the archaeological context was irretrievably lost. Largely for that reason there are still many problems surrounding the chronology, the function and the meaning of Early Cycladic sculpture. This lavishly illustrated and comprehensive re-assement sets out to rectify that situation by publishing finds which have been recovered in controlled excavations in recent years, as well as earlier finds for which better documentation can now be provided. Using the material from recent excavation projects, and drawing on the papers presented at a symposium held in Athens in 2014, it is possible now to undertake a fresh overview of the entire body of sculpture from the Cycladic islands which has been found in secure archaeological contexts. Beginning with early examples from Neolithic settlement sites and extending into a consideration of material found in later contexts, the 35 chapters are divided into sections which examine sculpture from settlements, cemeteries and the sanctuary at Kavos, concluding with a discussion of material, techniques and aspects of manufacture.

Highly recommended. Research libraries, advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals., All in all, the whole book is a very important contribution for the understanding of Early Cycladic figurines., The editors and authors of this volume must be congratulated not only for the much-needed filling of a gap in our knowledge but also for their tremendous efforts in highlighting once more the importance of archaeological context… Together, the volumes will undoubtedly change the way we talk and think about Early Cycladic objects - because context matters.

Marisa Marthari is Ephor of Antiquities (Emerita) at the Greek Archaeological Service and formerly Director of the Ephoreia of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities for the Cyclades and Samos, where she conducted numerous excavations and directed projects on museum exhibitions and presentation of archaeological sites. Colin Renfrew (Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn, born 25th July 1937) was formerly Disney Professor of Archaeology and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research in the University of Cambridge, and Master of Jesus College Cambridge from 1986 to 1997. He has excavated at a number of sites in prehistoric Greece and in the Orkney Islands, and is the author of many publications, including Prehistory: the making of the human mind. He is Fellow of the British Academy, Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, and was the recipient of the Balzan Prize in 2004. Michael Boyd (born 8th January 1970) is a Senior Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. His main research interests lie in the archaeology of death and in the prehistoric Aegean, where he has worked in the Peloponnese and Cyclades. He is co-director of current excavations on Keros and co-editor of the Keros publications series. He has published a book on Mycenaean funerary practices, and is co-editing a volume on funerary archaeology, Staging Death, and another on the origins of play and ritual. He has worked widely in Greece and Bulgaria.