Throughout the last decades, engaging with cultural landscapes has been a scientific, social, ethical, political, and economic imperative that calls for novel theoretical approaches, effective strategies and, above all, participatory action. Facing this multifarious challenge, academic disciplines have to redefine their traditional methods and aims, and demonstrate an openness towards new and risky paths of scientific pursuits. The present paper arose from interdisciplinary cooperation between the humanities and social sciences with the main objective to explore the potential of cultural landscapes as resources for social innovation in rural regions, addressing issues such as out-migration of original inhabitants, unemployment, and an overaging population. Based on an overview of landscape semantics and theoretical approaches, the paper first analyzes (cultural) landscape and social innovation as applied concepts. In a second step, both disciplinary angles mingle into a joint approach. Moving from methodologies to challenges, the authors discuss the Social Grid Model, which allows for an integrated analysis of social networks, institutions, and cognitive frames. They also delve into the Structured Democratic Dialogue as a tool for the revitalization of ‘active’ and ‘inactive’ cultural landscapes by reinforcing the role of local communities. Finally, the authors investigate how such novel ideas for the promotion of tangible and intangible heritage in rural habitats can be employed by example of two intervention regions in Greece (Koumasa) and the People’s Republic of China (Honghe Hani Rice Terraces), and as part of an orchestrated collective action.

The paper examines the development, adoption, and limitations of the relative chronology system for Minoan pottery, initially established by Sir Arthur Evans and Duncan Mackenzie during the excavation of Knossos (1900–1906). Despite its weaknesses, this system remained largely unchanged due to its convenience rather than its accuracy. The study discusses adaptations of this framework, critiques its shortcomings—particularly in obscuring temporal variability—and explores alternative approaches, including computational methods and Linked Open Data (LOD). The proposed solution involves replacing rigid periodizations with a more precise system based on synchronisms, visualized through Gantt charts, and integrating regional sequences using mathematical modeling. The goal is to enhance chronological accuracy in Minoan archaeology, especially for critical transitional periods.

A manifold geophysical strategy has been carried out for mapping the Minoan cemetery and settlement of Koumasa, S. Crete. Multispectral imaging was used as a complementary method to investigate associations with the geophysical results. The GNVI proved the most effective in this task. Archaeological excavations have verified a number of features suggested by the remote sensing methods.

For over a century, scholars have been deeply intrigued by the various manifestations of Minoan ‘presence’ beyond the confines of Crete. This fascination persists today, as evidenced by the breadth of scholarly attention dedicated to the topic, including the present volume. Several terms, such as ‘thalassocracy’, ‘pax minoica’, ‘Minoanisation’, and ‘colonisation’, have been employed to describe and interpret this phenomenon. While some scholars, following Evans’ lead, still maintain that there was a Minoan-driven expansion across the Aegean in terms of politics, economy, and culture, others challenge this notion, suggesting that local groups played a more significant role in disseminating Minoan artefacts, ideas, and techniques throughout the Aegean island and mainland regions. After briefly tracing the historical trajectory of the thalassocracy debate, this paper delves into key terminological, methodological, and theoretical considerations that shape efforts to construct a coherent narrative from the available data. The conclusion reached in the latter part of the paper may disappoint those seeking a definitive argument either for or against the existence of Minoan hegemony in the Aegean during the era of the Second Palaces. However, the proposed scenario, though ambiguous, aims to offer a plausible hypothesis for the dilemma of Minoan thalassocracy, while exemplifying a scientific approach that eschews oversimplified yes/no answers and the disambiguation of archaeological reasoning in favor of embracing the complexity inherent in historical processes. Keywords: Thalassocracy, Minoanisation, Minoan Crete, Cyclades, archaeological method and theory, transculturality