Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece

Alexandra Pentoti

Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece

Abstract

During the Late Geometric and Early Archaic periods (late 8th–first half of the 7th century BCE), the decorative theme of dance is seen on a number of pithoi associated with ritual and cult places in central and southern Aegean region. The depictions of group circular or labyrinthine dances, as well as individual instances of dance rituals on votive pithoi, likely reflect particular cult practices and beliefs of the Early Iron Age Greek communities. The current article examines the selection of this specific decoration in relation to the ritual context of the pithoi, as revealed by the archaeological evidence, epic tradition and ancient Greek literature, in an attempt to approximate, as closely as possible, the social and religious life of early historical communities.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Archaic Period Archeology, Ceramics in Archeology, Archaeology of Europe, The Mediterranean and The Levant

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Alexandra Pentoti ^*
0009-0004-5519-4604
Greece

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

December 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Pentoti, A. (2026). Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece. Archaeology of Western Anatolia, 2, 14-36. https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR

AMA

1.Pentoti A. Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece. AWA. 2026;(2):14-36. https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR

Chicago

Pentoti, Alexandra. 2026. “Mystery Aspects of Dance Depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic Pithoi: Reflections on the Cult Practices of Early Iron Age Greece”. Archaeology of Western Anatolia, nos. 2: 14-36. https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR.

EndNote

Pentoti A (April 1, 2026) Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece. Archaeology of Western Anatolia 2 14–36.

IEEE

[1]A. Pentoti, “Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece”, AWA, no. 2, pp. 14–36, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR

ISNAD

Pentoti, Alexandra. “Mystery Aspects of Dance Depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic Pithoi: Reflections on the Cult Practices of Early Iron Age Greece”. Archaeology of Western Anatolia. 2 (April 1, 2026): 14-36. https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR.

JAMA

1.Pentoti A. Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece. AWA. 2026;:14–36.

MLA

Pentoti, Alexandra. “Mystery Aspects of Dance Depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic Pithoi: Reflections on the Cult Practices of Early Iron Age Greece”. Archaeology of Western Anatolia, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 14-36, https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR.

Vancouver

1.Alexandra Pentoti. Mystery aspects of dance depictions on Late Geometric and Early Archaic pithoi: Reflections on the cult practices of Early Iron Age Greece. AWA [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1;(2):14-36. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA47UL75SR