Paper short abstract:

The Minoan Palaces will be investigated in order to derive as much evidence as possible that speaks in favour that the architectural layout of the Palaces forms the sacred language that enhances the normative structures in Minoan society.

Paper long abstract:

Architecture and the Minoan palaces are as cultural artefacts strongly embedded with symbolism. The use of the building in terms of regulating interaction and communication makes them "Theatres" for performative action. Three important elements are central to evaluate the palace and it's surrounding to find out in which ways architecture as a cultural environment works normative and transmits a Sacred language to the level of the entire community. Firstly, we have to accept that architecture is an expressive medium, whereby the builders/inhabitants exploit the different layers of façade, interior and structure, as a medium for expression. They affect the way both visitors and inhabitants perceive their surroundings and potentially engage them into dialogues with others sharing the space. Secondly, these spaces are filled up with meaning, and are used as a "sacred" language, as visual representations of information physically represented in the architectural environment. This Sacred language is transmitted/communicated through redundant behaviour in the form of performances/processions and forms the most important medium to express asymmetric power relations. Thirdly, they are also responsive; it is an environment that interacts with the people who are present in it. My basic arguments can be summarized in three statements: (1) The Palatial settings are as cultural constructs imbued with a normative "sacred" language; (2) The nature of the deeper meaning of the architectural constellation informed prehistoric societies about the basis of social order, norms and values; and (3) it is possible for Minoan archaeologists to make limited, but significant, inferences about the basis of social order from analyses of prehistoric architecture. In this way, the Palaces will be investigated in order to derive as much evidence as possible that speaks in favour that the architectural layout of the Palaces forms the sacred language that enhances the normative structures in Minoan society.