Abstract
Recently, Pareja et al. (Primates, 61:159-168, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-019-00778-1 2020) published a report suggesting that the monkeys represented by Minoans in Room 6 of Building Complex Beta at Akrotiri, Thera (present-day Greece) allegedly represented Hanuman or gray langurs (Semnopithecus spp.). This conjecture was based only on the posture of the tail, as it might be reminiscent of those observed in these Asian monkeys. In order to examine this hypothesis, we performed a thorough analysis of tail postures in both langurs and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.), a detailed description of body and facial characteristics of the Minoan painted monkeys, and an exhaustive review of the current evidence regarding Minoan archeoprimatological frescos and portable objects as well as proposed cultural and trading contacts between the Bronze Age Aegean, Egypt, the Levant, Near East, and the Indus River Valley. Our findings show that their assumption is unfounded and that the monkeys depicted on the walls of the referred fresco, as well as others related frescoes from Thera and Crete, are of African origin and more specifically belong to Chlorocebus spp. and Papio spp. In all cases, hopefully Pareja et al. (2020) and this reply will serve to stimulate further archeoprimatological studies.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
