Paper short abstract:

The paper will present the ceremonial building Xesté 3 from Bronze Age Thera as a case study on the interaction between architecture and iconography. It will focus on the social implications that can be derived from the spatial arrangement and the iconographic programme of mural paintings.

Paper long abstract:

This paper will present the ceremonial building Xesté 3 from Bronze Age Akrotiri (Thera) as a case study on the interaction between architecture and iconography. It will focus on the social implications that can be derived from the spatial arrangement and the iconographic programme of mural paintings.

The layout of the building comprises several architectural features that are taken from Minoan 'palatial' architecture. These are used to create a specific circulation pattern with multiple possibilities of movement throughout the building. The pictorial programme decorating the eastern part of the building, however, subdivides the complex set of rooms and passageways creating exclusive circulation areas for males or females. The upper floor, thus, becomes a female area whereas the male area predominates on the ground floor, the 'Lustral Basin' being the only exception.

Some of the wall paintings depict in a very detailed manner the rites of passage from childhood to adulthood of both sexes, those of the female initiates being under the auspices of an enthroned goddess. From the spatial arrangement - the male and the female areas visually converge in the Eastern wall of the sunken area of the 'Lustral Basin' - and from specific pictorial elements it may be concluded that the ritualised coming of age ends up with sexual intercourse.

Additional paintings may be related to a broader set of gender-specific ideas and concepts and, thus, form an adequate and supplementing framework for both the ritual activities taking place within the building and the social meanings associated with these activities.