The structures and stratigraphy of the so-called 'Reoccupation Period' at the Palace of Knossos, Crete, and the contexts of the Linear B archives

On the basis of evidence contained in the excavation documents and revealed by a detailed examination of the archaeological remains of the Palace at Knossos, structures referable to three separate building phases can be recognised that date to the period after the conflagration of late LM III A date. The buildings of the first of these phases have floors that are paved with gypsum slabs and walls covered with painted plaster and might reasonably be taken to be ‘palatial’. It is considered that, in some cases, most notably in the West Wing of the palace, Evans mistakenly referred structures belonging to this phase to what he regarded as the ‘Last Palace’. Instead, the structures belong to the ‘palace’ that Palmer and Hallager considered was rebuilt after the destruction of LM IIIA date. Most probably the buildings of this constructional phase date to the earliest part of the LM III B period. Subsequently, the walls of the first phase were strengthened by structures of poor quality rubble masonry, rooms were partitioned, doors were blocked and earth floors were laid down in many parts of the palace site. It is possible that these works, many being of a remedial character, were a response to widespread damage to the buildings, possibly caused by an earthquake. Of an ad hoc nature, these works permitted a continuation of the administrative process at the palace. There is no evidence to suggest a change of regime. For the most part, the structures of this phase were removed in the course of the excavations and are known only from the excavation records and early photographs. A number of structures attributable to this phase were not recognised by the excavators but can be inferred from the evidence of burnmarks still visible on many walls. The fire that terminated this period of occupancy is of LM III B date. Afterwards, a number of rooms were constructed against the N Front of the palace but the excavators provided no evidence of their date.