This book presents an archaeological study of Crete in transition from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (c. 4000 to 3000 BC) within the broader South Aegean context. The study, based on the author’s own fieldwork, contains a gazetteer of over 170 sites. The material from these sites will prompt archaeologists in Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East to reconsider their understanding of the foundation of Bronze Age civilization in the Aegean.

Contributions investigate the settlement patterns, maritime connectivity, and material culture of the southeast of Crete in a diachronic fashion, in an attempt to define it as a region and trace its history. Papers focus primarily on the archaeology of the sites along the coastal strip spanning between the Myrtos Valley and Kato Zakros.

Subject matter consists of representational arts in the broadest sense, architecture, sculpture, painting, and other man-made objects with no limits as to time, place, or cultural environment.

This edited work focuses on the study of metallurgy. It features selected papers from the conference 'Metallurgy: A Touchstone for Cross-Cultural Interaction' held at the British Museum 28-30 April 2005 to celebrate the career of Paul Craddock during his 40 years at the British Museum.

Aegean prehistory has developed over the 20th century into a distinctive and vibrant area of archaeological research. The past few decades, in particular, have seen a dramatic reorientation and expansion of goals and methods as well as a flood of new fieldwork in the Agean. Keeping abreast of these new developments has become a daunting task. Aegean Prehistory: A Review contains detailed syntheses of research, originally published in the American Journal of Archaeology and newly updated here. The volume conveys the diversity and richness of current approaches to the discipline of Aegean prehistory whilst also marshalling an enormous amount of information pertaining to field projects, museum studies, analyses of materials and texts, and supporting theories of interpretation. An introduction by Tracey Cullen places the review articles in historical perspective, tracing the evolution of Aegean prehistory from the 19th century to the present. The author also considers the current status of the discipline--its relationships with classical archaeology and anthropology, and the manner in which it is shaped by various sociopolitical forces. Aegean Prehistory: A Review is a powerful research tool for the exploration of Aegean themes. With its expansive and detailed coverage, the book constitutes essential reading for professionals and students of Aegean prehistory. It will also be of great interest to all who wish to learn more about intellectual trends and current discoveries in this part of the Mediterranean. Perhaps most important, Aegean Prehistory: A Review provides a solid foundation upon which Aegean archaeology can build as it continues to thrive in the coming years.

Archaeological evidence reveals that a diet consisting of mainly of cereals, pulses and olives, supplemented by fish and with a low percentage of animal products, was consumed on Crete in the Minoan period. Modern clinical and biochemical research indicates that this traditional 'Mediterranean diet' offers nutritional and health benefits depending on the balances of the components. It has been demonstrated that intake of fatty acids of vegetable (especially olive) and fish origin is associated with reduction in cardiac pathology and the development of visual and mental acuity in neonatal infants. Lipid analyses of samples of Cretan olive oil and Aegean fish (identified taxonomically from faunal remains and Minoan frescoes) confirm good levels of both essential and other dietary fatty acids. An assessment of the nutritional benefits of the Minoan diet and its possible role in the development of Minoan Crete are here investigated, using archaeological, demographic, biochemical and skeletal evidence.