The Early Bronze Age (3200-2000 B.C.) is characterised by the spread of
metal, the use of which is already known in the Final Neolithic or Chalcolithic
period. The Northeastern Aegean, the Cyclades and Mainland Greece are home to
specific cultural groups during this period.
Initially the way of life in all aspects continues along the lines of its
Neolithic predecessor. The general development of the second phase of the period
(2700-2200 B.C.) leads to the creation of organised settlements, the
construction of monumental buildings and a controlled economy with the
accumulation of goods and the use of seals. This is the time of the first urban
development, communication between settlements and commerce by sea with the
shipping of metal objects, Melian obsidian and fine pottery throughout the
Aegean.
In the Northeastern Aegean, Poliochni in Lemnos and Troy in Asia Minor become
prominent as strong proto-urban centres.To this same period belong the graves of
Leukas in the Ionian Sea, with their rich funerary equipment. In Mainland
Greece, Boeotian Orchomenos beside the Kopais lake, Lerna in the Argolid and
Aegina are among the important centres of this time -for the well-known
Neolithic sites such as Sesklo and Lianokladi we have less evidence. In Attica
there are many small but important settlements such as Raphina, Askitario and
Ag. Kosmas. The imported objects found in these settlements provide evidence of
their habitual communication with the Cyclades.
The development observable during the second phase of the Early Bronze Age comes
to an end during the third and last phase of the Period (2200-2000 B.C.).
Evident are destructions, the abandonment of settlements and a general
disorganisation that has been traditionally associated with the incursion of new
populations. The Middle Bronze Age (2000-1600 B.C.) is characterised initially
by an economic and cultural decline,as can be seen in the poor remains of the
settlements and in the poverty of the burials. It is a time of re establishment
and by the middle of the period, development is evident. The growth in
population and consequent necessity of further cultivation of the fertile land
leads to the appearance of new settlements in opportune places. The most
important of these have bronze workshops. Graves are now supplied with bronze
weapons and jewellery of gold, bronze and semi-precious stones, in addition to
pottery. The pottery of the period, for the most part wheel-made, comprises two
main categories Minyan ware and Matt Painted.
Toward the end of the Middle Bronze Age, the richly provided tombs of Mainland
Greece bespeak the rise of anumber of ruling groups. The influence of the
advanced culture of Minoan Crete, the importation of luxurious and beautifully
worked vessels and weapons, the spread of new ideas and techniques is to bring
about basic changes that are observable in all levels of life and art. The end
of the Middle Helladic Period is marked by social change rather than by
catastrophe. It is the time of the Shaft Graves at Mycenae and the new warrior
aristocracy which introduces us to the Mycenaean period.
|