East of Knossos, West of Malia. Changing Settlement Patterns Between Two Major Minoan Polities

A shift in power and settlement patterns between the Minoan palatial centres of Knossos and Malia is evident from the second millennium BCE, with Malia dominating during the Protopalatial period before Knossos expanded its influence. This study reveals a centralization trend in habitation models during the late Neopalatial period, likely due to Knossos's expansionist policies, supported by new archaeological data from rescue excavations and existing knowledge. The research highlights continuous habitation from Late Minoan IB to IIIB near Gournes and sparse settlements in MM IIIB–LM IA, contrasting with dense Protopalatial installations. The findings underscore the dynamic balance of power between these two major Minoan polities over time.

Mandalaki, S. (2025). EAST OF KNOSSOS, WEST OF MALIA. CHANGING SETTLEMENT PATTERNS BETWEEN TWO MAJOR MINOAN POLITIES. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 120, 91–135. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0068245425100312