The Neopalatial architectural and ceramic sequence at Malia. New insights from Area Pi

Langohr, Charlotte [UCL] Pomadère, Maia [Université de Paris I-Pantheon Sorbonne] Alberti, Maria Emanuela [Université de Florence]

The exploration of Area Pi, a residential quarter within the Bronze Age settlement of Malia, on the North-eastern coast of Crete, started in 2005 for six seasons of excavation (2005, 2007-2008, 2010, 2014 and 2020). These excavation campaigns alternated with study seasons which all involved several specialists of different kinds of archaeological artifacts and paleoenvironmental ecofacts, as well as a large team of students. This paper discusses the architectural and stratigraphical phasing of the Neopalatial occupation of this part of the settlement, and provides a new definition of the Neopalatial ceramic sequence at Malia based on the stratigraphy and the analyses of the ceramic assemblages excavated in Area Pi. Overall, the outcome of this research project makes it possible to propose a new scenario for the development of the town between the 17th and the 15th centuries BC. In broad terms, the study allows us to reconsider the different episodes of growth and turmoil of the major site of Malia within the general history of Minoan Neopalatial Crete.