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

cutting edges wider than the object’s mid-section—a design enabling better stability and
efficiency in comparison to the Minoan type. With this in mind, there are potential signs
of Mycenaean craftspersons on Crete during the Final Palatial period. A Mycenaean-style
double ax, with an oval shaft and narrow mid-section, dates to the late 14 th century at
Quartier Nu, Mallia. Likewise, a Mycenaean double ax also comes from the LM III
Tomb of the Double Axes at Isopata, Knossos. Within this tomb, a cist was carved in the
shape of a Mycenaean-style double ax, intentionally alluding to the Mycenaean element
and character of the tomb. Two non-functional double axes were also found in the tomb,
and these cult items typify examples found at Minoan shrines. The combination of the
two double ax types (functional Mycenaean and ceremonial Minoan) is further indication
of the syncretism of cultures, noted in other materials in the tomb. 782
The Mallia and
Isopata double axes may demonstrate that the Mycenaean tool form arrived on Crete
during the LM III period by means of mainland craftspersons.
Near Eastern Tools in the Aegean and Mycenaean – Hittite Tool Connections
Tool example Type of interregional similarity; comments
Near Eastern tools in the Aegean
Nine trunnion/lugged axes from the
Aegean; four from the mainland and
five from Crete. Most date to LBA
III.
Three LBA socketed chisels from
the Aegean
Crescent shaft-hole ax from Vaphio
(LH IIA)
782 Evans 1914; Alberti 2009.
The general trunnion/lugged ax form is undoubtedly Anatolian in
origin. An example from a LH III burial at Paralimni Teichos
Dymaion (Achaea) closely echoes Anatolian examples.
Socketed chisels are rare in Greece (examples come from
Palaikastro, Ithaka, and Katamachi) but common in Anatolia and
Cyprus.
Crescent axes occur chiefly in Anatolia and Syria-Palestine. The
objects may be ceremonial or prestigious rather than functional.
They are found from the MBA down in elite burials and often
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