| Abstrakt: |
After an introduction with the main references to the use of the mask in Prehistoric Europe and Near East, the paper aims to investigate the presence and use of masks and masquerades in the Aegean Bronze Age. The first part is devoted to the use of the gold masks in the funerary rituals at Mycenae Circles A and B. After the analysis of the contexts and the chronology, it is argued that the use of the funerary masks at Mycenae developed from local culture with possible external stimuli from the Aegean. The second part evaluates the evidence of Late Bronze Age masks in Cyprus and argues that the masks functioned as symbolic medium in constructing social identities among restricted groups practicing rituals in sanctuaries. The third part explores the evidence of masks in palatial Crete. Minor evidence for the Prepalatial and Postpalatial Crete is also investigated. In particular, the indirect evidence of mask and masquerades is suggested after analysing frontal faces as well as animal-human hybrids encountered especially in Aegean glyptic. These could refer to special rituals in which restricted groups were involved for negotiating identity and social power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
