Towards an Archaeology of Perception

‘Looking’ at the Minoan Palaces

Abstract

Architecture is perhaps one of the most important elements in the archaeology of Bronze Age Crete. It is employed as the archaeologist’s lens through which this society, its members and its social structures are viewed. While there are certain general laws concerning architecture and its relation to society, an approach is advocated here in which the visual perception of the ancient user is considered to be the key to the interpretation of the architecture. The human perception of architecture is significant in the mode of construction and the subsequent contextualization of a building within the social network. This principle is illustrated with a discussion of the visual impact of the palaces within Minoan society, possibly enhancing their monumentality and their ability to function as a stage for various performances.