Representations of birds in Minoan art

Masseti, Marco

doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1212(199707/08)7:4<354::aid-oa387>3.0.co;2-r

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…However, we agree with other researchers that paying attention to the repeated combination of particular morphological features often holds sufficient clues for species identification (cf. Masseti 1997; Harte 2000). On largely monochrome objects, such as seals, the depiction of plumage patterns, upon which the zoological distinction of particular biological species is usually based, is hindered; it has been found that focusing on the silhouette usually provides enough information to at least determine the relevant family (Ruuskanen 1992; Warren 1995; Binnberg 2017).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Like a Duck to Water – Birds and Liquids in the Aegean Bronze Age

Binnberg

2019

Annu. Br. Sch. Athens

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This study examines the relationships between birds and liquids in the Minoan, Cycladic and Mycenaean cultures. Objects under investigation are bird-shaped vessels, bird figurines attached to vessels, and some special pouring vessels decorated with painted bird motifs, which are listed in an accompanying catalogue. Analysis of this material demonstrates that images of both doves and waterbirds were consistently linked to liquid-containing vessels, but there are significant chronological and regional variations regarding the preference for bird species. Another aspect fluctuating with period and place is the type of contact created between liquid and bird motif. Three categories dividable into three or two subtypes can be recognised, which mainly differ from each other by the degree of proximity that is established between the fluid and bird motif. It is argued that these differences reflect variations in the perception of birds regarding their relationship to liquids. While a direct and active participation of birds in the flow of liquids such as water and milk is observable in many Cretan and Cycladic objects, the artefacts from the Greek Mainland show a different pattern, whereby less direct contact combined with a stylised rendering suggests that the bird motif was accorded a more passive role by symbolising the positive effect of the flow of water. These findings contribute to recent scholarly debates on human–animal relationships and ontologies in the Aegean Bronze Age.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 2 Ruuskanen 1992; Warren 1995; Masseti 1997; Harte 2000. For earlier studies focusing on species identification see Benton 1961; 1972.…”

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confidence: 99%

Like a Duck to Water – Birds and Liquids in the Aegean Bronze Age

Binnberg

2019

Annu. Br. Sch. Athens

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“…The agrimi is still distributed through the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in western Crete. It was introduced to the island by humans in early Neolithic times, and generated free‐ranging populations that persisted into Minoan periods (Wilkens, 1996; Masseti, 1997a,b, 1998). Morphologic and genetic analyses of the extant agrimi indicate that it probably experienced some cultural control in prehistoric times before it colonized the mountains of Crete (Logan et al.…”

Section: The Phenotype Of Cretan Wild Goat or Agrimi Capra Aegagrusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The wild goats Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777 of the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean islands

Masseti

2009

Mammal Review

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1.Populations of wild goats that can be referred to as phenotypes of the pasang, or Bezoar goat, or wild goat Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777, still occur on several of the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic islands. Other populations became extinct not many decades ago. 2. Fossil evidence for the natural spread of the wild goat to any of these islands has not been found. Originating in the Near East, the region of its natural range and its earliest domestication, the species was introduced by humans onto the Mediterranean islands starting as early as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. 3. The islands of the Eastern Atlantic were colonized artificially by animals of 'pre-Hispanic' origin. The principal phenotypes expressed by all these populations of goats can be matched with the characteristics of both C. a. aegagrus Erxleben, 1777 (aegagrus phenotype) and C. a. dorcas Reichenow, 1888 (dorcas phenotype). 4. Most of these animals currently survive on the islands without being fed by humans, and should be protected.

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“…The common commercial sponge species Hippospongia communis , which bears the most numerous and large canals, possibly hides behind the name (sponge) ( Odyssey , I.111, XXII.439), while is the marginated tortoise, an endemic Greek species ( Testudo marginata ) having a large shell which was used by Hermes for the construction of his lyre ( Homeric Hymns , IV.24–48). Finally, (swallow) should be attributed to the swallow, Hirundo rustica , which is observed even inside buildings ( Odyssey , XXII.239) and has been depicted on wall paintings in Thera (Masseti, 1997).…”

Section: Classical Names and Recent Taxamentioning

confidence: 99%

The fauna of Greece and adjacent areas in the Age of Homer: evidence from the first written documents of Greek literature

Voultsiadou

Tatolas

2005

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim To study the composition of fauna in Greece and adjacent areas around 3000 years ago based on the knowledge of Homeric man about the animal kingdom. Location Greece and adjacent areas. Method Analysis of information derived from a thorough study of the first written documents of Greek literature, the epics, attributed to Homer and Hesiod. Results Records of 2442 animals were found, corresponding to 71 different animal names. All animal names were attributed to recent taxa, at different category levels; the majority (65%) were assigned to taxa at the species level and the rest to supraspecific taxa. Most of the animal names recorded in the epics have been retained as integral words or roots in Modern Greek and they have been used in the formation of the Latin scientific taxa names. Five animal phyla appear in the texts: (1) Chordata (mostly birds and mammals), (2) Arthropoda, (3) Mollusca, (4) Porifera, and (5) Annelida. Information in the epics also includes morphology, biology, ecology (habitat and prey–predator relationships), and behaviour. The presence of several species in the area in that period is documented on the basis of archaeological and/or palaeontological findings from various Greek localities. Main conclusions The knowledge of Homeric man about animals, as reflected in the epics, seems to concentrate mainly, but not exclusively, on animals involved in human activities. The populations of some common animal species of the Homeric Age in Greek populated areas have become extinct or reduced at the present time. On the other hand, some common animals of the present time do not appear in the epics, since they were introduced later. Useful zoological information can be derived from the study of classical texts, which may help historical biogeographers as a supplement to archaeology and art, in the reconstruction of faunas of older periods.

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Representations of birds in Minoan art

Cited by 15 publications

References 6 publications

Like a Duck to Water – Birds and Liquids in the Aegean Bronze Age

Like a Duck to Water – Birds and Liquids in the Aegean Bronze Age

The wild goats Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777 of the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean islands

The fauna of Greece and adjacent areas in the Age of Homer: evidence from the first written documents of Greek literature

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