The Structure of the Linear B Administration at Knossos

An analysis of the Linear B texts from Knossos and of the archaeological data for LM II-III Crete permits conclusions to be drawn as to the extent and the administrative organization of Knossos' interests in LM III Crete. It is postulated that Knossos dealt with outlying areas indirectly through second-order centers, six of which are identified. These second-order centers seem also to have played an important part in the establishment of the administrative system at Knossos, probably in LM II. Finally, three case studies of sites known both from the documents and from excavation highlight the importance of an integration of textual and archaeological approaches.