Against the Currents of History. The Northern Lower Town of Tiryns: An Aborted Urbanization Project of the Mycenaean Post-Palatial Period

Abstract

The 12^th cent. B.C. was a period during which Tiryns developed differently than all other former Mycenaean palatial centers since it expanded, while the latter were shrinking or were even abandoned. Aside from the Upper Citadel, this unusual dynamic is most clearly reflected in the Northern Lower Town. Results of a new research project focusing on the Northwestern Lower Town indicate that, starting with the earliest part of LH IIIC, a new quarter was created whose foundation is likely to have brought a final palatial master plan to a conclusion. It seems that just two generations after the destruction of the palace the systematic development of the Northern Lower Town stalled and eventually was abandoned. In this way, a process of urbanization that bears a certain resemblance to town planning in 12^th cent. B.C. Cyprus came to an end. Thus, the period in which Tiryns developed ›against the currents of history‹ seems to have passed its zenith long before the end of the post-palatial period.