Text, Cycladic grave offerings from Naxos

Grave offerings from Naxos cemeteries reflect a rich society with access to luxurious prestige items. Vases and figurines of marble from Paros indicate communication with the neighbouring island. Stone and metal jewellery were placed in the grave. Small clay jars contained colours for body and face decoration. The elaborate lamp (24) reveals a luxurious manner of lightening and the remains in jug (25) indicate import or production of olive oil. All items in their use as grave offerings acquire symbolic dimension. Figurines, however, have primarily votive or ritual character.