Building a Minoan Larnax -Techniques and Gestures.

Preliminary Analysis
Sarah Georgel-Debedde

To cite this version:

Sarah Georgel-Debedde. Building a Minoan Larnax -Techniques and Gestures. Preliminary Anal-
ysis. Sympozjum Egejskie: Papers in Aegean Archaeology, Brepols Publishers, pp.69-84, 2022,
�10.1484/M.WSA-EB.5.128953�. �hal-03853779�

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 Sarah Georgel-Debedde
ED112 Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
UMR 7041 Archéologie et Sciences de l’Antiquité
Protohistoire égéenne
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4298-4998

BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—

TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS

Abstract: This paper investigates the fashioning stage of the Cretan larnakes’ chaîne opératoire.
Larnakes were clay sarcophagi, used on Crete from the Early to the Late Bronze Age to inhume the
dead. This funerary custom spread over time on Crete, reaching a peak at the end of the period, when
larnakes were used across almost the whole island. Due to their significant duration of use and distri-
bution, larnakes are considered fully part of the Minoan funerary landscape and have been, for this
reason, abundantly investigated. However, questions regarding their production have always been
put to one side and a specific study of their context of production is missing. To fill this lacuna, this
paper examines the larnakes’ manufacturing process by reconstructing the techniques and gestures
employed by Minoan potters during the fashioning stage. It especially focuses on Late Bronze Age
chest and bathtub larnakes, which are better documented.

Keywords: larnax, larnakes, manufacturing process, techniques, chaîne opératoire.

This is an open access publication made available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International Licence.
Sympozjum Egejskie: Papers in Aegean Archaeology 3, ed. by S. Aulsebrook, K. Żebrowska, A. Ulanowska,
and K. Lewartowski, WSA 3 ( Turnhout: Brepols, 2022 ), pp. 69–84.
10.1484/M.WSA-EB.5.128953

Introduction

Larnakes ( plural of the Greek word “larnax” ) are Larnakes have characteristic morphological fea-
among the most significant objects used in Minoan tures, the most striking being their significant size and
funerary practices. These clay sarcophagi were used their complex, uncommon, shape. Usually composed
on Crete, from the beginning of the Early Bronze of a body and a lid, they can be square-shaped or ellip-
Age ( EBA, 3rd millennium BC ) to the end of the Late soidal. Used throughout the Bronze Age period, their
Bronze Age ( LBA, end of the 2nd millennium BC ), to morphological features evolved over time; during the
bury the dead, and were found all over Crete in several EBA elongated ellipsoidal larnakes were used at Pyrgos
types of funerary contexts throughout the period, such Cave,2 while some square-shaped and oval short ones
as caves and collective built tombs ( circular tombs, were used in the Archanes Phourni cemetery until
house-tombs and chamber tombs ).1 the MBA. 3 Oval, almost circular, larnakes were used

1 Funerary caves were used mainly during the EBA, circular tombs 2 Xanthoudides 1918.
( Messara ) and house-tombs from the EBA to the Middle Bronze 3 Sakellaraki, Sakellaraki 1997.
Age ( MBA ). Chamber tombs appeared in the LBA and were used
until the end of the period.
70 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

in Knossian cemeteries during the beginning of the Archanes Phourni ), and eastern Crete ( e.g., Mochlos,
LBA.4 During the end of the LBA, this funerary prac- Pachyammos, Palaikastro, Sitia ).11
tice reached its climax and two specific and standard- A direct macroscopic study was carried out on
ised forms of larnakes, known as the chest-shaped lar- these larnakes in order to identify the primary and
nax and the bathtub-shaped larnax, were used all over secondary forming techniques used during their
Crete.5 The first one comprises a chest-shaped body manufacture. A microscopic analysis 12 of their sur-
and a gabled or flat lid, while the second one has an face, using a microscope camera, was undertaken to
ellipsoidal flared body, and is rarely found with a lid.6 observe the surface finishing techniques. This tech-
The longevity of larnakes shows that they were nological study aimed to reconstruct their chaîne
very characteristic objects of Minoan culture and fully opératoire specifically related to the fashioning stage,
part of the Minoan funerary landscape. Moreover, that is the sequence of “operations which transform
it underlies the existence of a long-term craft tradi- the clay paste into a hollow form, being described in
tion. Indeed, larnakes were produced over more than terms of technique, methods, gestures, and tools”.13
2000 years in Crete, and although scholars have been Specific physical attributes, such as marks, patterns of
examining issues related to their origin and the icono- fractures or variations in wall thickness, for instance,
graphical symbolism of their decoration, questions were observed, recorded and compared with reference
regarding their production have often been neglected.7 sources, such as pottery technology studies14 and eth-
How were larnakes built? Which techniques, tools and nographic works.15 The surface texture and finishing
gestures were employed for their manufacture? What were also observed and analysed with the naked eye
were the different stages of the manufacturing process, and a microscope camera, in order to reconstruct the
from the manipulation of the paste to the final shape? secondary forming and finishing operations. However,
This paper focuses on LBA chest and bathtub lar- several difficulties regarding the conditions in which
nakes, which provide more data with regard to tech- the study took place must be highlighted. In particu-
nology.8 It will focus on the technological study of lar, access constraints within museum exhibitions pre-
28 Late Minoan III9 chest and bathtub larnakes. First vented the direct observation of the internal surfaces
I will describe and analyse the physical attributes of the chest, lid or base on some examples. Moreover,
observed within the scope of the macroscopic study; the macroscopic analysis was performed on complete
I will then discuss preliminary hypotheses related to and restored objects, so that the internal structure of
the fashioning stage of the chaîne opératoire. the clay fabric could not be studied. The following
observations and results must therefore be considered
as preliminary.
Methodology
Finally, the direct analysis was reinforced by the
This article summarises the preliminary results of expertise of professional potters,16 as well as personal
a study of 28 larnakes dated to the LBA ( second half experiments. The latter consisted of building four chest
of the 2nd millennium BC ).10 These 28 larnakes ( 16 larnakes’ bodies using different forming techniques
chest larnakes and 12 bathtub larnakes ) come from ( especially slab-building and coiling ). This was aimed
several Bronze Age cemeteries in western ( Chania, at developing a better understanding of the manufac-
Dramia ), central ( e.g., Ligortynos, Knossos, Tylissos, turing processes of each forming technique.

4 Forsdyke 1926–1927; Cook, Boardman 1954; Alberti 2013. and LM IIIC ( 1200/1190–1075/1050 BC ). See Manning 2010,
5 Chest and bathtub larnakes were mainly used in central and east- 23, tab. 2.2.
ern Crete. Very few examples are reported from western Crete: 10 This work is the result of several campaigns of study carried out
see the bathtub specimen from Chania ( Niniou-Kindeli 1983, at the Louvre Museum ( 2017 ), the Archaeological Museum of
360 ) and the chest specimen from Dramia ( Kanta 1980, 237 ). Heraklion ( 2018 ), the Archaeological Museum of Chania and
6 Two bathtub larnakes from Gra Lygia ( Arapi Skala ) were found the Archaeological Museum of Sitia ( 2019 ). I would like to thank
in connection with a flat rectangular lid ( Apostolakou 1998 ). the archaeologists and curators who allowed this study.
7 N. Merousis ( 2014–2018 ), in a recent article, investigates the lar- 11 See the catalogue included at the end of this paper.
nakes’ manufacture and provides hypotheses for reconstructing 12 Using a low magnification ( x50 ).
their chaîne opératoire. 13 Roux 2016b, 3.
8 Bathtub and chest larnakes, due to their wide distribution and 14 Rye 1981; Rice 1987; Roux 2016a.
painted decoration, are more well-known than the examples from 15 Gosselain 2002; Livingstone Smith 2007.
previous periods, and are often more accessible in museums. 16 I would like to thank Mr G. Dalamvelas, Mrs M. Dalamvelas
9 Late Minoan ( LM ) III period ( 1420/1410–1075/1050 BC ) and Mr D. Didier, from the Cretan village of Margaritès, for hav-
comprises LM IIIA1 ( 1420/1410–1390/1370 BC ), LM IIIA2 ing welcomed me into their workshops and having shared their
(1390/1370–1330/1315 BC), LM IIIB (1330/1315–1200/1190 BC) knowledge with me.
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 71

The Macroscopic Analysis: the Chest- Cubic feet often display a rough surface on their
Shaped Larnakes internal sides. Some evidence of vertical scraping can
sometimes be observed in these areas. In contrast,
The Bases the external surfaces are usually smooth. On several
Only six chest larnakes’ bases could be observed in the examples, a vertical crack, or a discontinuous join
course of the macroscopic analysis ( Cat. nos. 3, 4, 6, void, occurs along the line of the external sides of the
16, 26 and 27 ). feet ( about one centimetre away from the external
These bases have irregular and randomly pat- sides ). The ‘gamma’ feet of the larnax from Ligortynos
terned fractures or seams, running along their cen- ( Cat. no. 3 ),19 show vertical voids and cracks on their
tres. A long linear fracture, following the orientation internal sides, which seem to indicate the boundaries
of the long sides, is also often visible along the edge. of the different elements used to build this specific
The same type of fracture, or crack, also occurs along shape. As with cubic feet, a vertical crack, or join void,
the area where the base meets the walls. When visible, also occurs along the line of their external sides.
the lower side of the base shows an irregular topogra- In every instance, a horizontal crack or fracture
phy and micro-topography, characterised by a ‘hollow is observed in the area where the feet meet the base.
and bumps’ structure and a rough surface. Moreover, several examples are characterised by a
This suggests the base was formed in two dis- specific technological feature: on the lower side of
tinct stages; the first step consisted of the formation the base, the area surrounding the feet forms some
of the central section, formed using big lumps of clay kind of ‘protuberance’, as if another layer of clay was
( non-preformed elements ) joined by pressing them added in this location. In the case of the larnax from
together. The irregular fractures or seams indicate the Ligortynos, these ‘protuberance’ areas sometimes have
boundaries between these lumps.17 The central sec- small circular depressions that could be fingermarks.
tion of the base was probably formed directly on the Cubic and ‘gamma’ feet seem to have been formed
ground, its lower surface thus adopting the irregular- with different techniques. Cubic feet were likely made
ities of the soil. The second step would have been the by modelling a lump or a big coil. The feet were then
addition of a border, probably formed using a large roughly shaped by scraping, in order to provide them
coil, which ran around the circumference of the cen- with angles. In the case of the larnax from Ligortynos,
tral section. This border gave the final shape to the it seems that ‘gamma’ feet were made of several joined
base and was also the support for the bottom level of elements: an initial coil formed the central part, and
the walls. The latter was joined directly onto the base, two other flattened coils, or slabs, were joined to it, in
causing, on some examples, a long linear fracture at order to form the perpendicular sides. This configura-
the intersection between the base and walls. tion is likely to have caused the vertical cracks and join
On several of the analysed larnakes ( Cat. nos. 1, voids visible on the internal sides.
4, 7, 8, 9, 17, 26 and 27 ), a raised strip or band runs The feet were joined to the lower surface of the
around the external face of the lower walls. Fractures base, following the axes of the corners. They were
along its upper and lower surfaces, as well as on its likely placed when the clay was still soft, in order to
core, frequently occur. This suggests that such raised adhere to the base’s surface. The ‘protuberance’ areas,
bands were an added element, formed with a coil or visible around the feet on several examples, could be
little pieces of soft clay, stuck onto the walls. It gained interpreted as an added layer of soft clay, allowing the
its final shape after smoothing operations with a wet feet to stick better to the base. Finally, a subsequent
tool ( probably wet fingers ). layer of clay was added on the external surfaces of the
feet, when the raised frames ( see below ) were formed.
The Feet The shaping of the raised frames thus began at the feet,
Ten chest larnakes were provided with feet.18 The feet and was then continued from the bottom to the top of
have either a cubic shape (Cat. nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 20) the chest.
or a ‘gamma’ shape composed of two perpendicular
slabs ( Cat. nos. 3, 7 and 26 ).

17 The seams are especially visible on the lower surface of the bases, 19 ‘Gamma’ feet could only be observed well on one example from
which were not regularised. Ligortynos ( Cat. no. 3 ).
18 One larnax from Ligortynos, one larnax from Sfaka and three
larnakes from Mochlos are footless ( Cat. nos. 1, 14, 15, 16 and
17 ); the bottom of the base rests directly on the floor.
72 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

The Walls and standardised elements, such as slabs, to build the

On several examples, the observation of the internal chest. However, the absence of vertical or diagonal
surfaces of the walls was impossible because the lids fractures must be considered. It is possible that the
of these larnakes were in place ( Cat. nos. 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, vertical junctions between the joined slabs on these
14, 15, 17 and 20 ). Nonetheless, the macroscopic anal- larnakes were stronger and more resilient. Another
ysis revealed that all the chest larnakes studied show hypothesis is that these larnakes were not built using
physical attributes that are linked to the use of joined levels of appended slabs, but using big strips of clay the
elements to build the walls. These attributes are long same length as the walls.
horizontal and superimposed fractures, rhythmic The marked evenness and smooth surface could
( repeated and regular ) corrugations, and/or horizon- be the result of the pre-forming of slabs, by pressing
tal and superimposed join voids. or flattening. When joined together to build the walls,
This suggests that the walls were built using suc- the slabs would already have had an even surface, so
cessive levels of joined elements, from the bottom that scraping or regularising operations were unnec-
to the top. The four walls of the chest were raised essary. Another explanation is the hypothetical use of
together, as is suggested by the repetition in the loca- an external support during the course of manufacture
tion of the horizontal joins on all four sides. ( see below ).
For some of the analysed examples, it was possible
to pursue further investigations into the nature of the
joined elements: some chest larnakes indeed show a
very specific pattern of fractures, characterised by long
linear ones combined with vertical or diagonal ones
( Cat. nos. 6, 8 and 26 ; Fig. 1). On some examples, only
superimposed linear fractures occur, but these are
characterised by a strong regularity in their spacing
( Cat. nos. 7 and 9; Fig. 2 ). In every instance, these lar-
nakes show a great evenness in their walls as well as a
specific surface finish: smooth, with non-plastic mate-
rial usually embedded in the wall. Moreover, very little
evidence regarding the use of secondary forming tech-
niques, such as scraping, have been observed. Another
significant technological feature relates to the corners
of these larnakes; when the internal surface is visible,
it often shows vertical and linear fractures, occurring
along the corners. The general external morphology Fig. 1. External wall of an LBA chest larnax from Archanes
of the corners is also very even, forming almost 90° Phourni (Cat. no. 8), showing the pattern of fractures charac-
angles. teristic of slab-built walls (photograph by author).
These physical attributes can be connected to the
use of slab-building. The walls of these larnakes are
composed of several levels of slabs, each level formed
by rectangular or square-shaped slabs, joined one next Slab-built chest larnakes’ corners were directly
to the other. These levels of slabs were superimposed shaped in the course of the manufacture of the
in order to increase the height of the walls. The junc- body: slabs were stuck together perpendicularly. Such
tions between the joined slabs are either vertical or a forming technique leads to fragility along the verti-
diagonal. This specific configuration is likely to have cal joint between the walls, causing vertical fractures
caused the horizontal and vertical/oblique fractures along the corners. It allows, however, the corners to
visible on some examples. It is also likely that the slabs be provided with a generally sharp and angular mor-
were applied in a plastic condition in order to enhance phology, without subsequent secondary forming tech-
the junctions’ adhesion. niques ( scraping or trimming ). The hypothetical use
Certain other examples, even though they do not of an external support ( see below ) could also explain
show the same pattern of fractures, were also proba- their very angular profile.
bly shaped by slab-building. The strong regularity In contrast, some larnakes show a very differ-
between the horizontal fractures, observed on the ent type of physical attribute ( Cat. nos. 1, 4, 14, 15
walls of these larnakes, suggests the use of preformed and 16 ). The general topography of these chests is
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 73

Fig. 2. An LBA chest larnax from Palaikastro (Cat. no. 9), with a detail of the external wall showing the
patterning of fractures characteristic of walls built of preformed slabs (photographs by author).

Fig. 3. An LBA chest larnax from Gazi (Cat. no. 4), with a detail of the rhythmic corrugations on the
internal wall characteristic of coil-built walls (photographs by author).

characterised by rhythmic corrugations ( Fig. 3 ). In Finally, evidence for regularising operations, such as
general, long horizontal linear fractures do not appear scraping or trimming, are frequently noticeable along
on these examples, and horizontal junctions are indi- the corners.
cated by discontinuous join voids. On some larnakes, I suggest that these physical attributes can be linked
step-like fractures can occur. Technological features to the use of coil-building. The walls of these examples
for the use of secondary forming techniques, such as were raised using large coils, several appended coils
scraping, are also frequently visible. Abundant elon- likely forming one horizontal level. The rhythmic cor-
gated fingermarks, revealing that the potter tried to rugations indicate the joining operations between the
even the inner face of the walls by combing the clay successive levels of coils. Scraping operations were sys-
with his hand, have been observed, for instance, on the tematically needed in order to draw out the coils and
example shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, these lar- regularise the joins. Evidence of scraping operations
nakes often show an irregular surface, where smooth on larnakes’ walls could be a very important and valu-
areas alternate with rough ones. The corners are usu- able criterion to distinguish between slab-building and
ally characterised by an irregular profile and width. coil-building, the latter technique requiring a greater
On some examples, the lower section of the corners amount of secondary forming work. It is also notice-
sticks out further than the bottom of the walls, form- able that the long linear and horizontal fractures,
ing a circular protruding area ( Cat. nos. 15 and 16 ). often observed on the previously discussed examples,
74 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

rarely occur on these. Coil-building seems to allow the been added, in some instances, in order to hide this
formation of better junctions between the superim- external junction ( Cat. nos. 1 and 4 ). The rims were
posed elements; in contrast to slabs, coils can be easily then shaped by scraping and wet smoothing, the final
deformed ( e.g., by pinching, drawing, scraping, etc. ) profile ( circular or rectangular ), depending on the
in order to be more strongly joined together. extent of the regularising and finishing operations.
The corners of these larnakes were shaped dur- The raised external bands were likely shaped using
ing the building of the body; scraping and trimming the same methods as the ones used to form the lower
operations were performed along the external and raised bands: coils or little pieces of soft clay stuck
internal corners in order to give them a sharp profile. on the walls, and subsequent smoothing operations.
On a few examples ( Cat. nos. 15 and 16 ), it is likely The extremities of the band were joined to the raised
that large coils or lumps of clay were stuck, in a ver- frames using smoothing operations.
tical axis, along the joins between the four walls, then Few technological attributes have been recognised
re-shaped by scraping and trimming in order to form with regard to the manufacture of flat rims, since they
the corners. are only associated with one larnax of the corpus under
Eleven larnakes 20 ( Cat. nos. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, study. This flat rim is also characterised by variations
16, 17, 26 and 27 ) were provided with raised frames. in its profile and thickness. Horizontal fractures can
These raised frames are added elements, shaped with occur along the junction between the lower surface of
little pieces of soft clay stuck on the corners of the lar- the rim and the external surface of the walls.
nakes, and defined by scraping and smoothing opera- The forming process of the flat protruding rims is
tions with a wet tool ( hand or cloth ). The shaping of difficult to reconstruct at this stage. They could have
raised frames began from the external surfaces of the been built using leather-hard slabs, perpendicularly
feet, if any, and continued to the top of the chests. joined to the upper surface of the walls. Such a pro-
cess could have caused the horizontal fractures visible
The Rims between the rim and walls.
Chest larnakes have either a protruding circular ( Cat.
nos. 4, 5, 14, 15, 16 and 26) or rectangular rim (Cat. nos. The Use of a Support?
1, 7 and 20 ), a raised external band ( Cat. nos. 2, 3, To conclude the macroscopic analysis of chest lar-
7, 8 and 27 ), like the one found on the lower part of nakes’ bodies, a specific question must still be consid-
the walls just above the base, or a projecting flat rim ered: was a support needed during the shaping of chest
( Cat. no. 9 ). larnakes’ bodies? This question was raised within the
The large circular or rectangular protruding rims scope of an interview with potters 21 from the Cretan
are often characterised by variations in profile and village of Margaritès, and is especially applicable to the
thickness. When the internal wall faces are visible, slab-built technique. Indeed, if we consider that some
a discontinuous join void can be seen on the upper larnakes were built with slabs, it must also be assumed
surface, indicating the junction between the walls and that the slabs were in a very plastic condition, to allow
rim. Bulges of paste can also be observed on some for joining them together. However several technolog-
examples, in the area where the lower surface of the ical constraints must be taken into account. Slabs of
rim joins the external surface of the walls. Evidence of soft clay cannot be used to build such a large vessel,
regularising or finishing operations, such as scraping without collapsing on their own or under the weight
or smoothing, are also visible. of the clay added afterwards. To reconcile the use of
These rims are likely to have been formed with plastic slabs with the significant size of chest larnakes’
the addition of a large coil on the upper surface of the bodies, the use of a support during manufacture can
walls. The coil was placed and joined in order to extend be hypothesised.
outward beyond the walls of the chest. The lower sur- Regarding the type and nature of such a support,
face of the coil was joined to the external surface of the it may have been external, holding up the larnax’s
walls, creating some bulges of paste on certain exam- walls from the outside, in order to allow its removal
ples. An additional layer of moist clay could also have after the clay had retracted through drying. Regarding

20 One larnax from Ligortynos ( Cat. no. 2 ) has incised frames, ( Cat. no. 6 ) and one larnax from Petras Papoura ( Cat. no. 20 ),
while the other from the same site ( Cat. no. 1 ), as well as one do not have any frames.
larnax from Kavrochori ( Cat. no. 5 ), one larnax from Knossos 21 Mr G. Dalamvelas and Mrs M. Dalamvelas.
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 75

Fig. 4. An LBA chest larnax from Skafa (Cat. no. 14), with a detail of the external wall of its gabled
lid showing technological features associated with a coil-built construction technique (photographs by
author).

the material, it can be assumed that wood or clay might fingermarks and the palm handprint indicate pressing
have been used. The support could have been complete, operations on the paste, likely in a mould or a simple
composed of four individual walls in order to be easily former. The lid was then cut along the middle, when
withdrawn after the manufacturing process, or com- the clay was in a leather-hard condition, in order to
posed of several parts assembled during the forming divide it into two parts.
process, then dismantled. The gabled lids’ manufacturing process is more dif-
However physical traces of this support are lack- ficult to reconstruct.22 Several lids have either super-
ing on the larnakes examined. Indeed, none of the imposed horizontal fractures ( Cat. nos. 8, 15 and
technological indications usually connected to mould- 17 ), or rhythmic corrugations ( Cat. no. 5 ), or both
ing, such as imprints on the external wall faces or ( Cat. nos. 9 and 14 ) on their walls. The lid of the lar-
traces of a parting agent ( sand or dry powdered clay ), nax from Sfaka ( Cat. no. 14; Fig. 4 ) shows three lin-
have been observed so far. It is nevertheless possible ear horizontal fractures associated with four rhythmic
that such traces might have been obscured by subse- corrugations, sometimes combined with horizontal
quent treatments, such as smoothing and painting. discontinuous join voids, outlining quite regular lay-
ers, each five to six centimetres in height. The internal
The Lids lid surface of one larnax from Mochlos ( Cat. no. 15 )
Two different kinds of lids are associated with the could be observed. It is marked by elongated finger-
chest larnakes examined: flat ( Cat. no. 1 ) and gabled marks, vertically orientated; the upper internal sur-
( Cat. nos. 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17 and 20 ). The first is face is characterised by a very rough surface, showing
usually composed of two clay slabs and provided with irregular seams and bulges.
handles on the upper side. The second is provided with These physical attributes suggest that gabled lids
four sides, two large and two small, that join together were formed with a technique based on joined ele-
at the top, and is usually capped by a clay beam. ments. The technological features observed on the lid
The inner surface of the only flat lid that has been from Sfaka suggest that the walls were built in succes-
observed during this macroscopic analysis has rounded sive levels of coils, likely drawn out in order to increase
seams that seem to indicate the junctions between their height ( to five to six centimetres ). The long linear
some curved elements, as well as fingermarks and even fractures could be the results of multiple partial dry-
a palm handprint. The lid is separated, along the mid- ing phases, allowing the walls to strengthen before the
dle, into two parts. addition of the subsequent levels. Furthermore, it can
This lid demonstrates physical attributes linked be inferred, from examining the internal surface of the
to a technique based on joined elements: it was example from Mochlos, that the lids were progressively
shaped using large lumps of clay pressed together. The raised, from the bottom to the top: the internal surface

22 This is mainly due to difficult study conditions. The internal have not been examined due to access constraints at museum
surface of most of the lids from the larnakes in the study corpus exhibitions.
76 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

was scraped during building, likely with the fingers; On some examples, a seemingly random pattern of
the lid was then closed at the top by using lumps of fractures occurs, some of them with a rounded profile
clay, joined one next to the other. At that point, the ( Cat. nos. 21, 23, 24 and 28 ). Moreover, a linear frac-
potter could not access the internal part of the lid any ture is often visible along the junction between the
longer, explaining why the outlines of these lumps are base and the lower part of the wall. On some exam-
still very visible. ples, evidence for secondary forming techniques, such
Finally, it is probable that gabled lids were directly as scraping, occur on the internal surface, specifically
erected on the top of the larnakes’ bodies. The lower near the edges and, sometimes, close to the centre.
surface of the lid often displays a convex print match- The bases do not seem to have been formed with
ing the shape of the rim of the body. In that case, the joined elements, such as coils or slabs. The presence of
potter must have waited for the body to dry or become curved fractures and ‘hollows and bumps’ surfaces
leather-hard, before shaping the lid directly upon it. could rather suggest the use of rounded lumps of clay
In that respect, the lid was perfectly matched with the pressed and joined together. The wall was built directly
body, in terms of both length and width. It is thus onto the bases, as is indicated by recurrent horizontal
likely that each lid fitted a single body. fractures occurring in the area where the base meets
the wall. Some scraping operations were performed
The Surface Finishing Operations on the internal surface of the edges, to regularise them
The external surfaces of chests and lids usually show and perhaps to hide the junction between the base
evidence of wet smoothing, with a characteristic sur- and the wall.
face of little ridges and partially covered non-plastic On all examples, with the exception of one larnax
material. Given the profile and orientation of the ridges, from Chania and one larnax from Episkopi ( Cat. nos.
it seems that smoothing operations were performed 13 and 28 ), a raised strip or band runs around the
with a soft and wet tool, such as the hand or a cloth. external surface of the lower wall. Fractures along its
All chest larnakes, with the exception of one larnax upper or lower surface, as well as on its core, occur
from Mochlos ( Cat. no. 17 ) were slipped and painted frequently. This band also usually shows evidence of
on the external faces of their walls. The slip and paint- smoothing operations. As was the case for chest lar-
ings were applied also on the raised frames, if applica- nakes, this external band was an added element. It was
ble, and on the rims and the external surfaces of the likely formed with a coil stuck on the wall, and gained its
feet. The same surface finishing operations were per- final shape through smoothing operations using a wet
formed on the lids.23 A white slip was used for larnakes tool ( probably wet fingers ).
from Palaikastro, Mochlos, Sfaka, Petras Papoura and
Dramia ( Cat. nos. 9, 14, 15, 16, 20 and 27 ). A beige The Walls
to yellow slip was used for larnakes from Ligortynos, All the bathtub larnakes examined are characterised by
Archanes Phourni, Kavrochori and Knossos ( Cat. nos. rhythmic corrugations, often associated with horizon-
1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 ). The painted decoration varies from tal discontinuous join voids ( Figs. 5 and 6 ).25 Some-
brown to red. This colour variation seems to be related times the junctions are marked by over-thicknesses,
to the firing process. which include visible traces of the paste and the
spreading actions through which the paste was used
to effect the join ( Fig. 6 ). In several cases the corruga-
The Macroscopic Analysis: the Bathtub
Larnakes
tions, especially those unusually protrusive, have been
scraped with a tool in a vertical or diagonal direction.
The Bases These physical attributes are linked to coil-building.
Few technological features have been observed on the Rhythmic corrugations and join voids mark the junc-
bases of bathtub larnakes.24 Bases are usually charac- tions between the joined coils. The over-thicknesses,
terised by a generally flat profile, although the surface visible on one example from Mochlos ( Cat. no. 19 ),
can adopt a light ‘hollows and bumps’ morphology. indicate that the clay paste was spread and pressed in

23 With the exception of one example from Mochlos ( Cat. no. 15 ); 25 One larnax from Sitia also displays numerous superimposed
in this instance, the lid was left unslipped and unpainted. horizontal fractures that could demonstrate the presence of hori-
24 Only the internal surface of the bases could be observed, due to zontal junctions ( Cat. no. 21 ).
access constraints at museum exhibitions.
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 77

Fig. 5. An LBA bathtub larnax from Katsambas (Cat. no. 23), with a detail of its internal wall showing the
rhythmic corrugations and join voids characteristic of coil-building (photographs by author).

Fig. 6. An LBA bathtub larnax from Mochlos (Cat. no. 19), with a detail of its internal wall showing the
rhythmic corrugations and over-thicknesses characteristic of coil-building (photographs by author).

order to join the coils. Scraping operations were per- smoothing operations are noticeable on the upper,
formed on the outer and inner faces of the bathtub, external and lower surfaces of the rims.
in order to increase the height of the coils and regular- This suggests that the protruding rims were
ise the surfaces. The four walls were gradually raised formed using added elements, such as coils. It is likely
together, from the bottom to the top, as is indicated that the rims were made in two steps: first, a large coil
by the repetition in the location of the horizontal joins, was joined to the upper surface of the wall ( using sev-
on all four sides. Often, eight to nine levels of large eral appended coils in order to cover the whole cir-
coils can be distinguished, each probably composed of cumference ) to form the main section of the rim; one
several adjoined coils. or two other coils were then adjoined to its outer edge,
and pressed against it, to form the external protrusion.
The Rims This configuration is likely to have caused the longi-
Most of the bathtub larnakes have morphologically tudinal cracks or join voids on the upper surface of
similar rims, with a protruding rectangular to circular several bathtub larnakes’ rims. In the area where the
profile. One larnax from Sitia ( Cat. no. 21 ) has a pro- lower surface of the rim meets the wall, a subsequent
jecting flat rim. layer of clay or a coil seems to have been added in
The protruding circular to rectangular rims are order to hide, and maybe also reinforce, the junction,
characterised by variations in their width and pro- causing bulges of paste on several examples. The rims
file. On the upper surface of the rim, roughly along were then shaped by scraping with a tool and smooth-
the middle, longitudinal cracks or discontinuous join ing with a wet cloth or hand.
voids are visible on several larnakes. Bulges of paste, As was the case for the chest larnakes, the manu-
or cracks, can also be observed on some examples, in facturing process for the projecting flat rims is more
the area where the lower surface of the rim meets the difficult to reconstruct, and few technological features
external wall faces. Finally, evidence of scraping and occur. These rims also show variations in their width
78 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

and profile. On the example from Sitia, longitudinal step being briefly described in terms of techniques,
fractures can be observed on the upper surface of the gestures and tools. Optional stages in the chaîne opéra-
rim, close to its inner edge. Step-like fractures also toire are marked as such.
occur on the top surface. Due to study constraints and the small number of
Could flat projecting rims have been built using examples analysed, these results are preliminary and
slabs, joined to the upper portion of the wall perpen- require further investigation.
dicularly? Another manufacturing process similar to
the one used for projecting rims can also be consid-
The Chaîne Opératoire for the Fashioning
ered, but with more coils adjoined to form the external Stage of Chest-Shaped Larnakes
protrusion ( two to three coils? ), and substantial press-
ing operations in order to flatten the coils out. Forming of the Base
The central section of the base is formed with lumps
The Surface Finishing Operations of clay joined by pressing them together using the
The external and internal faces of bathtub larnakes hands. It is likely that the base is shaped directly on
usually show evidence of wet smoothing, with a char- the ground. A large coil is added and joined around
acteristic surface showing little ridges and partially the central section to create the border and give the
covered non-plastic material. Given the profile and final shape to the base.
orientation of the ridges, it seems that smoothing
operations were performed with a soft wet tool, such Forming of the Feet (Optional)
as the hand or a cloth. • Cubic feet: the feet are modelled out of a lump of
Both the external and internal faces of bathtub clay or a large coil. Scraping operations with a rib-
larnakes were slipped and painted, with the excep- type tool are performed.
tion of one larnax from Palaikastro ( Cat. no. 10 ), • ‘Gamma’ feet: the feet are formed with one cen-
which was only slipped on its outer wall face. Slip and tral coil to which are joined two coils or slabs, per-
painted decoration were also applied on the upper and pendicularly.
external surfaces of the rim, and, sometimes, on the
internal surface of the base ( Cat. nos. 10, 11, 18 and Junction between the Feet and Base
19 ). A white to beige slip was used for larnakes from (Optional)
Palaikastro, Mochlos, Katsambas, Sitia, Piskokefalo The feet are stuck under the base, along the axes of the
and Pachyammos, as well as two larnakes of unknown corners. An additional layer of soft clay can be added,
provenance ( Cat. nos. 10, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 ), under the base, to make the process of joining the feet
and a yellow to beige slip for the larnax from Chania and the base easier. This layer is stuck and pressed
( Cat. no. 28 ). under the base with hands and fingers.
It can be observed that more attention was paid Comment: several questions must be considered
to the inner face of bathtub larnakes than that of chest regarding the ways and means through which the feet
larnakes: it was usually smoothed, slipped and painted. were joined to the base: was the base soft or leather-
This difference in surface finishing treatment could be hard at this stage? Did the base rest directly on the
related to the fact that the interiors of bathtub larnakes ground, or was it lifted at this point? Several hypothe-
were supposed to be seen. This could perhaps explain ses can be proposed:
why these examples are almost never found in connec- • the base was first formed on the ground, dried
tion with a lid. until it reached a leather-hard condition and was
then lifted in order to add the feet;
• the base was directly formed upon a raised plat-
The Results of the Technological Study
form26 and the feet added immediately after, while
In this section, I will describe the main results from the base was still in a plastic condition;
the macroscopic analysis ( see above ), regarding the • the base was formed on the ground and cavities,
fashioning stage in the chaîne opératoire of LM III directly dug into the soil, allowed the feet to be
chest and bathtub larnakes. The sequence of steps joined to the base.
related to the manufacturing process is followed, each

26 This raised platform could simply have been created by excavating

the ground around the larnax base, or built with clay or wood.
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 79

Junction between Base and Walls Addition of Raised Frames (Optional)

The first level of the walls is joined directly onto the Raised frames are formed by sticking pieces of soft clay
base, by sticking it onto the upper surface of its border. on the external surface of the corners, and shaping
them by scraping with the fingers or a rib-type tool,
Addition of a Raised External Band and smoothing with wet hands or a cloth. This addi-
(Optional) tional layer of clay is first stuck on the external surface
A raised strip is added, around the lower part of the of the feet, and then progressively added from the bot-
chest, in the area where the base meets the external tom to the top of the corners.
face of the walls. It is formed with a thin coil, or little
pieces of soft clay, stuck on the walls, and shaped by Forming of the Rim
smoothing with a wet tool, likely the hand or a cloth. • Circular or rectangular protruding rim: a coil is
added and joined to the upper surface of the walls.
Forming of the Walls It is shaped by scraping, with a rib-type tool, and
• Slab-building: the walls are formed with succes- smoothing with wet hands or a wet cloth. The
sive levels of rectangular-shaped joined slabs. The junction between the rim and the external wall
slabs are preformed, likely by pressing them on faces is often hidden with an additional layer of
a flat surface or by flattening them with a rolling moist clay.
pin-type tool, and maybe cut out with a blade. • Raised band: a thin coil or little pieces of moist
They are stuck and joined, one next to the other, clay are stuck on the upper external face of the
by pressing their edges together with the hands. chest, and shaped by smoothing with a wet tool,
A variation of this technique could consist of using likely the hands or a cloth.
large strips of clay, as long as the walls. The corners • Flat projecting rim: leather-hard slabs are joined
are formed during the manufacture of the body, to the upper portion of the walls, perpendicularly?
by sticking the slabs together perpendicularly.
Comment: it is possible that an external support was Forming of the Lid
used during the forming of the walls in order to sup- • Flat lid: the lid is formed with large lumps of clay
port the slabs or strips, and to prevent the walls from stuck together, likely in a mould or in a simple for-
collapsing. The support was removed for the forma- mer. It is cut along the middle, in order to be sep-
tion of the raised frames, if any, and the rims. arated into two parts.
• Coil-building: the walls are formed with successive • Gabled lid: the lid is formed with successive levels
levels of joined coils. Coils are joined, one next to of joined elements, likely coils. The walls are raised
the other, by pressing and scraping them with the from the bottom to the top. The internal surface is
hands or a scraping tool. They are drawn out with scraped with the fingers, or with a tool, in order
the fingers and scraped with the fingers, or with to draw out the joined elements. Regular partial
a rib-type tool, in a vertical or oblique direction. drying phases are probably performed in order to
The corners are formed in the course of manufac- allow the walls to strengthen. The lid is then closed
ture, using scraping operations with the hands or at the top with lumps of clay joined next to each
a rib-type tool. Another variation consists of add- other.
ing a coil or superimposed lumps of clay along the Comment: the gabled lids are likely formed and erected
vertical junctions between the four walls, in a ver- directly upon the chests. This configuration allows the
tical axis, and shaping them by scraping. lids to match perfectly with the chests.

Smoothing Operations on the External Wall Smoothing Operations on the External Faces
Faces of the Lid
Smoothing operations are likely performed during Smoothing operations were likely performed during the
the walls’ manufacture, with wet hands or a wet cloth. manufacture of the lid, with wet hands or a wet cloth.
They are performed on the chest’s external wall faces.27 They were performed on the lid’s external wall faces.

27 However, few chest larnakes’ internal wall faces could be studied,

so that there is, at this stage, very little information regarding the
surface finishing.
80 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

Drying of the Chest and Lid preceding layer, in order to give the bathtub a flared
The larnax is then left to dry, the lid likely still resting profile. Coils are drawn out with the hands, and scrap-
upon the chest. ing operations are performed on the outer and inner
Comment: It is likely that larnakes required a long time faces of the wall to increase its height and regularise
to dry, given the thickness of the walls ( two to three the surface.
centimetres ).28
Smoothing Operations on the External and
Application of the Slip on the External Wall Internal Wall Faces
and Lid Faces (Optional) Smoothing operations are likely performed during the
The external wall faces of the chest and lid are slipped manufacture of the wall, with wet hands or a wet cloth.
using a soft tool such as a cloth. They are performed on both the larnax’s external and
internal wall faces.
Application of Painted Decoration on the
External Wall and Lid Faces (Optional) Forming of the Rim
Painted decoration is applied to the external wall • Protruding circular to rectangular rim: a large coil
faces of the chest and lid. The paint used is usually is joined to the upper surface of the wall to form
monochrome.29 the main section of the rim. One or two other coils
Comment: little information is known regarding the are laterally adjoined to the first one and pressed
type of tool used to paint the walls.30 against it in order to form the externally protrud-
ing area. A subsequent layer of moist clay is added
to hide the external junction between the rim and
The Chaîne Opératoire for the Fashioning
Stage of Bathtub Larnakes
the wall.
• Flat projecting rim: leather-hard slabs are joined
Forming of the Base to the upper portion of the wall perpendicularly.
The base is formed with large lumps of clay joined and Alternatively, it can also be hypothesised that a
pressed together. The internal surface can be scraped similar process as the one used for the protrud-
with a rib-type tool. ing rims is performed, but with more coils later-
ally adjoined to the main section and substantial
Junction between Base and Wall pressing and stretching operations.
The first level of the wall is joined directly onto the
base, by sticking it onto the upper surface of the base’s Drying of the Bathtub Larnax
circumference. The base’s internal surface in the vicin- The bathtub is left to dry.
ity of this seam is scraped with a rib-type tool, in order Comment: It is likely that larnakes required a long time
to hide the junction. to dry, given the thickness of the wall ( two to three
centimetres ).31
Addition of a Raised Band (Optional)
A raised strip is added around the lower part of the Application of the Slip on the External Wall
bathtub, in the area where the base meets the walls. It is Face
likely formed with a coil, stuck on the wall, and shaped The external face of the wall of the bathtub larnax is
by smoothing with a wet tool, such as a hand or cloth. slipped using a soft tool such as a cloth.

Forming of the Wall Application of the Slip on the Internal Wall

The wall is formed by coil-building. It is gradually raised Face (Optional)
with successive levels of joined coils, each of which is The internal face of the wall of the bathtub larnax is
positioned progressively further outwards than the slipped using a soft tool such as a cloth.

28 Mr G. Dalamvelas, a potter from the Cretan village of Margaritès, 30 It is likely some kind of paintbrush made of vegetal fibres or ani-
considers that the drying process of a larnax could have lasted mal hair was used.
one to two weeks. 31 See n. 28.
29 Only one chest larnax, in the study corpus, displays polychromatic
painted decoration with red and blue to green paints (Cat. no. 27).
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 81

Application of the Slip on the Internal However, several differences also occur in the
Surface of the Base (Optional) chaînes opératoires of the chest larnakes examined.
The internal surface of the bathtub larnax’s base is The most striking is the possible use of slab-building
slipped using a soft tool such as a cloth. to raise the walls of some examples ( Cat. nos. 6, 8, 9
and 26 ), instead of coil-building ( Cat. nos. 1, 4, 14,
Application of Painted Decoration on the 15 and 16 ). The use of slab-building indeed leads to
External and Internal Wall Faces a very distinctive chaîne opératoire characterised by its
Painted decoration is applied on the external and own techniques ( preforming of slabs, seams between
internal wall faces of bathtub larnakes. The paint used adjoined slabs ), gestures ( pressing the edges of the
is usually monochrome. slabs together without deforming them ), tools ( poten-
Comment: little information is known regarding the tial use of an external support ) and, thus, craftsman-
type of tool that could have been used to paint the ship. Other forms of variation also occur, such as the
walls.32 optional addition of feet, within the forming processes
for the feet ( cubic feet formed from a lump or a coil
and shaped by scraping, ‘gamma’ feet formed using
Synthesis and Discussion
joined elements ) or in the forming process of the rim
The preliminary results of this analysis allow us to ( a protruding rim formed with joined coils shaped by
consider the different stages of the chest and bath- scraping and smoothing, a flat rim formed with joined
tub larnakes’ chaînes opératoires that constitute their slabs... ). Important variations in the fashioning stage
fashioning phase, from the forming of the base to the of the chaîne opératoire for chest larnakes thus occur,
surface finishing operations, ending with the drying and distinct forming techniques were probably used to
process. build the same shape. These differences could be asso-
Both chest and bathtub larnakes were built with a ciated with the existence of several workshops in LBA
technique based on joined elements: their walls were Crete with separate crafting traditions. It is, however,
raised in successive, superimposed levels of joined difficult at this stage to determine the number, location
elements ( coils or slabs ), from the bottom to the top. and geographic boundaries of these workshops. The
Several factors, however distinguish the two chaînes study of more items and a comparison of technological
opératoires; in the case of the chest larnakes, the addi- data with morphological, stylistic and petrographical
tion of feet or raised elements such as frames led to data are needed.
substantial additional stages in the manufacturing pro- The fashioning stage of the bathtub larnakes’
cess, as well as the requirement for specific techniques chaîne opératoire is, in contrast, more homogeneous,
and methods ( making the join between the base and and the primary and secondary forming techniques
feet, the potential lifting of the base, the preparation used are very similar: coil-building, scraping and
and addition of moist clay on the walls, etc. ). The pos- smoothing operations on the inner and outer wall
sible use of slab-building, likely in conjunction with faces, with the rim usually formed using a main coil
the use of an external support, to build some chest to which are laterally adjoined one or two additional
larnakes ( see below ), also constitutes a very diagnos- coils. This implies the existence of a technical tradi-
tic criterion to distinguish between the two shapes and tion, shared by larnax makers during the LBA in east-
their related techniques. Moreover, the forming of the ern and central Crete.
lid also follows its own manufacturing process ( flat lid
formed with lumps of clay joined and pressed, likely
Conclusions
in a mould; gabled lid formed with successive levels of
joined elements, until the lid is closed at the top with The preliminary results from the LBA larnakes’ tech-
adjoined lumps of clay ), that requires distinctive tech- nological study presented here reveal that there were
niques and methods. It may be hypothesised that these recognisably different ways to make a larnax. These
differences within the fashioning stage of the chaînes differences within the fashioning stage of the chaîne
operatoires for chest and bathtub larnakes imply the opératoire are likely connected to the existence of
existence of two specific groups of craftsmen, in charge distinct groups of craftsmen and workshops in LBA
of the production of either one shape or the other. Crete. It is, however, premature to speculate on the

32 See n. 30.
82 SARAH GEORGEL-DEBEDDE

number, nature and locations of these workshops, a more detailed description of the techniques used
and further studies, taking into account complemen- and a better reconstruction of the different stages of
tary data ( technological, morphological, stylistic and the manufacturing process. An experimental pro-
petrographical ), must be undertaken. ject, in collaboration with traditional potters from
Substantial technological and petrographical stud- Margaritès—Mr G. Dalamvelas, Mrs M. Dalamvelas
ies are currently being conducted to complete this and Mr D. Didier—is currently ongoing; it aims to
analysis. A technological analysis of a wider study reproduce a LBA chest larnax, and considers the whole
corpus is in progress, taking into account several fur- chaîne opératoire, from the clay supply to the firing.
ther chest and bathtub larnakes from western, cen- Such a project will help to reconstruct the chest lar-
tral and eastern Crete. Moreover, this analysis also nakes’ manufacturing process, and deepen our com-
includes fragments of larnakes, allowing us to propose prehension of the technical abilities required.

Catalogue

Abbreviations
H. height; L. length; W. width

1) Ligortynos ( Louvre Museum CA 922 ): L. 125 cm, Chronology: LM IIIA.

W. 46 cm, H. 50 cm. Chest larnax without feet, flat Bibliography: Merousis 2013, fig. 12b.
lid. 8) Archanes Phourni ( Heraklion Museum Π33412 )
Chronology: LM IIIA1/2. ( Fig. 1 ): L. 128 cm, W. 54 cm, H. without lid 80 cm,
Bibliography: D’Agata 2015, figs. 8 I.8–9. H. with lid 100 cm. Chest larnax with four feet,
2) Ligortynos ( Louvre Museum CA 921 ): L. 105 cm, gabled lid.
W. 42 cm, H. without lid 88 cm. Chest larnax with Chronology: LM IIIB.
four feet, gabled lid. Bibliography: Sakellaraki, Sakellaraki 1997,
Chronology: LM IIIA2/B. fig. 120.
Bibliography: Rutkowski 1966, tabs. XI 1–2, XII 9) Palaikastro ( Heraklion Museum Π1619 ) ( Fig. 2 ):
1–3; D’Agata 2015, fig. 7. L. 120 cm, W. 44 cm, H. without lid 67 cm, H. with
3) Ligortynos ( Louvre Museum CA 923 ): L. 105 cm, lid 100 cm. Chest larnax with four feet, gabled lid.
W. 53 cm, H. 69 cm. Chest larnax with four feet, Chronology: LM IIIA2.
no lid. Bibliography: Bosanquet 1901–1902, pls.
Chronology: LM IIIA2/B. XVIII–XIX.
Bibliography: D’Agata 2015, fig. 8 I.10. 10) Palaikastro ( Heraklion Museum Π7396 ): L. 68 cm,
4) Gazi (Heraklion Museum Π18985) (Fig. 3): L. 90 cm, W. 38 cm, H. 43 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
W. 37 cm, H. 68 cm. Chest larnax with four feet, Chronology: LM IIIA2.
no lid. Bibliography: Bosanquet, Dawkins 1923, pl.
Chronology: LM IIIB. XXXIV.
Bibliography: Alexiou 1972, figs. 24 α–β. 11) Pachyammos (Heraklion Museum Π3689): L. 74 cm,
5) Kavrochori ( Heraklion Museum ): L. 102 cm, W. 45 cm, H. 46 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
W. 47 cm, H. without lid 66 cm, H. with lid 104 cm. Chronology: LM IIIΒ.
Chest larnax with four feet, gabled lid. Bibliography: Boyd Hawes et al. 1908, pls. 10, 44.
Chronology: LM IIIA2/B. 12) Pachyammos (Heraklion Museum Π9499): L. 82 cm,
Bibliography: Merousis 2013, fig. 10b. W. 34 cm, H. 49 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
6) Knossos ( Heraklion Museum Π8195 ): L. 104 cm, Chronology: LM IIIA2/B.
W. 44 cm, H. without lid 66 cm. Chest larnax with Bibliography: Kanta 1980, pls. 56, 3–4, 52, 4.
four feet, no lid. 13) Episkopi Ierapetra ( Heraklion Museum Π7624 ):
Chronology: LM IIIA2. L. 63 cm, W. 39 cm, H. 38 cm. Bathtub larnax
Bibliography: Morgan 1987, figs. 1–10. without lid.
7) Giofyrakia (Heraklion Museum Π12027): L. 94 cm, Chronology: LM IIIA2/B.
W. 42 cm, H. without lid 79 cm, H. with lid 115 cm. Bibliography: Rutkowski 1966, pls. XXV, 1–3.
Chest larnax with four feet, gabled lid.
 BUILDING A MINOAN LARNAX—TECHNIQUES AND GESTURES 83

14) Sfaka ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ9987 ) ( Fig. 4 ): L. 102 cm, Chronology: LM IIIA2/B.
W. 38 cm, H. without lid 35 cm, H. with lid 60 cm. Bibliography: Tsipopoulou, Vagnetti 1997, pl.
Chest larnax without feet, gabled lid. CLXXX b.
Chronology: LM IIIA1. 22) Piskokefalo ( Sitia Museum ): L. 91 cm, W. 37 cm,
Bibliography: Kanta 1980, pl. 66, 6. H. 41 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
15) Mochlos ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ11340 ): L. 120 cm, Chronology: LM IIIC.
W. 43 cm, H. without lid 46 cm, H. with lid 74 cm. Bibliography: Tsipopoulou, Vagnetti 1997, pl.
Chest larnax without feet, gabled lid. CLXXXII.
Chronology: LM IIIA1/2. 23) Katsambas ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ7874 ) ( Fig. 5 ):
Bibliography: Soles, Davaras 2008, pl. 20b. L. 85 cm, W. 45 cm, H. 48 cm. Bathtub larnax with-
16) Mochlos ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ9947 ): L. 135 cm, out lid.
W. 48 cm, H. without lid 53 cm. Chest larnax with- Chronology: LM IIIA/B.
out feet, no lid. Bibliography: Kanta 1980, pl. 71, 10.
Chronology: LM IIIA1/2. 24) Unknown ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ9883 ): L. 96 cm,
Bibliography: Soles, Davaras 2008, pls. 18 a–b. W. 48 cm, H. 46 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
17) Mochlos ( Sitia Museum ): L. 119 cm, W. 46 cm, Chronology: LM IIIC.
H. without lid 55 cm, H. with lid 85 cm. Chest Bibliography: Tsipopoulou, Vagnetti 1997, pls.
larnax without feet, gabled lid. CLXXXVII c–d
Chronology: LM IIIA2. 25) Unknown ( Sitia Museum ): L. 85 cm, W. 40 cm,
Bibliography: Soles, Davaras 2008, pl. 28 a–b. H. 47 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
18) Mochlos ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ12033 ): L. 75 cm, Chronology: LM IIIA/C.
W. 35 cm, H. 54 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid. Bibliography: Tsipopoulou, Vagnetti 1997, pl.
Chronology: LM IIIA1/2. CLXXXVIII.
Bibliography: Soles, Davaras 2008, pl. 22 c. 26) Unknown ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ9986 ): unknown
19) Mochlos ( Sitia Museum ΜΣ11370 ) ( Fig. 6 ): measurements. Chest larnax with four feet, no lid.
L. 78 cm, W. 44 cm, H. 52 cm. Bathtub larnax Chronology: LM IIIA/C.
without lid. Unpublished.
Chronology: LM IIIA2/B. 27) Dramia ( Chania Museum Π1187 ): L. 109 cm,
Bibliography: Soles, Davaras 2008, pls. 17 b–c. W. 40 cm, H. without lid 65 cm. Chest larnax with
20) Petras Papoura (Sitia Museum ΜΣ3530): L. 106 cm, six feet, no lid.
W. 48 cm, H. without lid 75 cm, H. with lid 104 cm. Chronology: LM IIIA2.
Chest larnax with four feet, gabled lid. Unpublished.
Chronology: LM IIIA2/B. 28) Chania ( Chania Museum Π6068 ): L. 61 cm,
Bibliography: Tsipopoulou, Vagnetti 1995, figs. W. 37 cm, H. 46 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid.
99–101. Chronology: LM IIIB.
21) Sitia (Sitia Museum ΜΣ10005): L. 82 cm, W. 38 cm, Bibliography: Niniou-Kindeli 1983, fig. 157 γ;
H. 48 cm. Bathtub larnax without lid. Andreadaki-Vlasaki 1997, pl. IIIb.

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