STEGA

This collection of papers explores the archaeology of ancient Cretan households, including their social and cultural significance. STEGA offers diverse insights into domestic life.

The volume titled STEGA compiles the proceedings of an international colloquium that focused on the archaeology of houses and households in ancient Crete. This event took place in Ierapetra in May 2005 and brought together scholars from various disciplines to share their insights. The collection includes 38 papers that explore a wide range of topics, starting from household activities during the Final Neolithic period at Phaistos to the domestic implications of globalization in the early Roman Empire.

Each paper in STEGA showcases diverse methodological approaches that researchers employ to understand the complexities of houses and household activities. Key themes discussed include the built environment, the variability of domestic organization, and the influence of houses and households in shaping social and ethnic identities within communities. The authors delve into how these structures serve not only as living spaces but also as pivotal sites for social interaction and cultural expression.

Moreover, the volume addresses household composition and the various activities that occur within these spaces, ranging from basic subsistence practices to broader production and consumption patterns that extend beyond individual households. Through these discussions, STEGA contributes significantly to the understanding of ancient Cretan life and the role of domestic spaces in historical contexts.