α-thalassaemia

Alpha-thalassaemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by a microcytic hypochromic anaemia, and a clinical phenotype varying from almost asymptomatic to a lethal haemolytic anaemia

Investigating site diversity in the Early Bronze Age Aegean

Despite the central location of the Cyclades in the southern Aegean Sea, there has been little intensive investigation of the islands’ prehistoric settlement pattern. Here it is shown how close comparison of mainly surface evidence from two sites on the islands of Amorgos and Keros can contribute to our understanding of the diversity of sites in the Early Bronze Age and of the dynamics of interaction between them

Knossos during LM II-IIIB: Dynamism and Development

For the study of LM II-IIIB Crete, Knossos has two particularly strong points. It has been intensively investigated for over a century, which provides a reasonably well documented, continuous and contextually diverse archaeological record through these periods, and the site was the dominant centre for much of the island during these periods. Our traditional periodisation for prehistoric Crete, based on the broad chronological resolution of most of our archaeological materials, encourages us to think in terms of relatively long and static periods (e.g. Protopalatial, Neopalatial, Final Palatial, Post-palatial), interrupted by short phases of rapid transformation. In recent years, new excavations and strategic re-investigations and re-evaluations at a number of sites have allowed more finely resolved and detailed documentation of local developments, highlighting regional variation and allowing a more nuanced appreciation of changes within the broad phases of Minoan history. For the LM II- IIIB periods, the change in the language used for administrative documentation in the Linear B tablets traditionally invoked a model of massive population change, contributing to the perception of this phase as dramatically different from the preceding Neopalatial period. As archaeologists generally move away from assuming major demographic and ethnic replacements as the principal processes of culture change, it is essential that we re-connect the LM II-IIIB phases with their antecedents. This al- lows us to assess more effectively to what degree and in what ways these phases represent a significant departure from previous developments on Crete, or constitute less exceptional components in a longer term sequence of continuous social, economic and political structural transformations.This paper presents new information on Knossos, synthesises this with earlier evidence and critically compares this emerging picture with previous understandings of the development of the community, focusing on transformations in the palace, the cemeteries and the city from the late Neopalatial through LM IIIB phases