Höflmayer: Synchronisierung der minoischen mit der ägyptischen Chronologie

Höflmayer, Felix (2010)

Die Synchronisierung der minoischen Alt- und Neupalastzeit mit der ägyptischen Chronologie. 

Dissertation, Universität Wien. 

Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
http://othes.univie.ac.at/11690/

Abstract

The present work deals with the synchronisation of the Minoan Old- and New-Palace periods with the Egyptian (historical) chronology. Since the 1980ies, absolute dates for the early Late Bronze Age of the Aegean and especially for the eruption of Santorini (Thera) at the end of LM IA are hotly debated between archaeologists and scientists alike. Short-lived radiocarbon dates support a chronology which is 100 to 120 years higher (c. 1650-1600 BC) than dates based on archaeological and historical estimations (c. 1550-1500 BC). The present work critically reviews both archaeological and scientific evidence for these dates. Although available radiocarbon dates for the Old-Palace-Period do not differ from archaeological/historical estimations, for the early Late Bronze Age, scientific dates are 100 to 120 years too high. This offset decreases at the end of LM IB to about 30 to 50 years and is non-existent from LM / LH IIIA1 onwards. At the moment no explanation can be offered for this offset, since also the historical dates for the Egyptian chronology are compatible with radiocarbon dating. In order to incorporate the high Aegean dates in the chronological system of the eastern Mediterranean, it would be necessary to alter our understanding of Egyptian material culture during the late Second Intermediate Period and the early New Kingdom, as our dates for Aegean phases are not only dependent on Egyptian historical chronology but also on Egyptian material culture (pottery and stone vessels).