The DAEDALOS project seeks to challenge the dominant narrative that monumental architecture in the Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean is inherently tied to centralised, hierarchical political systems and top-down power structures. This prevailing view has deeply shaped our understanding of societal organisation during this period. In the 2nd millennium BCE, regions such as Mainland Greece, Western Anatolia, Crete, Cyprus, and the Cyclades saw the rise of increasingly elaborate architectural projects, including impressive "palatial" buildings. These structures are often interpreted as the seats of rulers exercising centralised control over their societies, and the considerable labour and material resources invested in these monuments are typically viewed as evidence of a rigid, hierarchical social order dominated by powerful elites. DAEDALOS challenges this assumption by considering the capacity of human groups without centralised leadership to effectively organise and manage resources. The project reexamines the assumed link between monumental architecture and centralised power by analysing patterns of integration and segmentation in 2nd millennium BCE building projects across the Aegean and Cyprus. Through an in-depth architectural study of monuments at 30 sites, the project introduces an innovative analytical framework to explore alternative models of labour organisation. Specifically, it investigates whether grassroots, community-driven building processes could have significantly contributed to monumental architectural creation. By examining the dynamics underlying these architectural achievements, DAEDALOS seeks to foster a paradigm shift in our understanding of monumental construction. The project aspires to offer more nuanced interpretations of Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age societies, moving beyond traditional models of hierarchical control to consider the diverse ways communities may have collaboratively mobilised resources and expertise. The methodology and analytical framework developed and tested through the project are expected to significantly enhance our understanding of the socio-political contexts that shaped monumental architectural creation across different regions and time periods.
