HOUSE (CENTRIC) SOCIETIES ON THE PREHISTORIC GREEK MAINLAND

Corien W Wiersma

doi:10.1111/ojoa.12190

Abstract

SummaryThe concept of ‘House Societies’ was introduced by Lévi‐Strauss. It not only considers the social aspects of houses and households, but also the economic and political ones. By so doing, one gains a much more complete understanding of how a community is structured and organized, and how changes can slowly unfold within seemingly static communities. In this article it is argued that Early Helladic III and early Middle Helladic communities on the Greek mainland can be considered proto‐house societies, while House Societies proper do emerge at some places during the later Middle Helladic and Late Helladic I periods. The arguments are based on an analysis of domestic architecture, mortuary practices and the domestic economy. These indicate that the concept of property became more important during the Middle Helladic period. The house was perpetuated through rebuilding and mortuary practices, thereby referencing the concept of kinship, in order to transmit property. Such habits define House Societies.

Highlights

This article argues that the Early Helladic (EH) III and Middle Helladic (MH) I–II societies (c.2200–1750 BC) of the Greek mainland were proto-house societies, on the threshold of becoming House Societies as defined by Lévi-Strauss
In this article it is argued that Early Helladic III and early Middle Helladic communities on the Greek mainland can be considered proto-house societies, while House Societies proper do emerge at some places during the later Middle Helladic and Late Helladic I periods
The arguments are based on an analysis of domestic architecture, mortuary practices and the domestic economy

Summary

University of Groningen

House (centric) societies on the prehistoric Greek mainland Wiersma, Corien W. More information can be found on the University of Groningen website: https://www.rug.nl/library/open-access/self-archiving-pure/taverneamendment. The concept of ‘House Societies’ was introduced by Lévi-Strauss It considers the social aspects of houses and households, and the economic and political ones. The arguments are based on an analysis of domestic architecture, mortuary practices and the domestic economy These indicate that the concept of property became more important during the Middle Helladic period. The house was perpetuated through rebuilding and mortuary practices, thereby referencing the concept of kinship, in order to transmit property.

INTRODUCTION

DEFINITIONS AND PERCEPTIONS

EARLY HELLADIC III

Kinship or alliance