Middle and Late Bronze Age Metal Tools from the Aegean, Eastern ...

Graves portray warrior images more so than that of craftspersons, the early Mycenaeans
apparently were not interested in memorializing craft activities in the mortuary realm.
Thus the nature of craftspersons and their relationship to the elites at early Mycenae is
very inconclusive. Other Minoan or Cretan-inspired implements are found on MBA
Lefkas (elongated chisel), LH IIB Vaphio (ax-adze with figure-of-eight shield motif), LH
II-IIIA1 Andronianoi (saw) and the general area of Patras (double ax). In terms of the
overall carpentry/masonry tool types, there is not explicit evidence for regular interaction
between Minoan and Mycenaean craftspersons. Although the double ax became
prominent in the LH III period on the mainland, it exhibits important changes from the
earlier Minoan version. Despite these conclusions, craft interactions between Cretans and
Mainlanders must have taken place. Recent analysis of the Palace of Nestor at Pylos
concluded that the building’s original form contained certain Cretan architectural
traits. 780 A Minoan craft presence in Messenia thus remains a distinct possibility, despite
the absence of Minoan carpentry/masonry implements at Pylos, and has long been
suspected due to the mason’s marks on the LH IIA Peristeria tholos. 781
Double axes are peculiar to the Aegean and chiefly found on Crete and the Greek
mainland. Pieces have sporadically turned up in other areas, but the sheer quantity of
double axes from the Aegean is unmatched. Minoan and Mycenaean double ax forms are
easily distinguishable in their form and date. The Mycenaean double ax was developed
only by the Late Helladic III period, meaning that the tool is absent from the mainland
during the early Mycenaean period, even though the tool had reached its zenith of
popularity on Crete at that time. The mainland versions had an oval shaft hole with
780 Nelson 2001, 190.
781 Wright 1978, 147; Palyvou 2005, 181.
339