The Archaeology of the Greek World

Bronze Age

100

This civilization centered on large palatial complexes such as Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia on Crete.

Minoan

200

This undeciphered writing system appears on clay tablets from Minoan Crete.

Linear A

300

This famous Bronze Age site has frescoes and very well preserved houses

Thera

400

This site might be entered through the Lion Gate

Mycenae

500

These large tombs of the Mycenaean elite are called

Tholos/Tholoi

Iron Age

100

This pottery style, dominated by concentric circles and linear motifs, characterizes the 9th–8th centuries BCE.

Geometric

200

This monumental geometric vase from a cemetery served as a grave marker for an elite burial in Athens.

Dypilon Krater

300

This sanctuary in the Peloponnese became an important panhellenic center during the Early Iron Age.

Olympia

400

This burial practice, visible in cemeteries like the Kerameikos in Athens, becomes increasingly common during the Early Iron Age.

Cremation

500

Archaeologists associate this major technological transition with the wider availability of this metal replacing bronze for tools and weapons.

Iron

Archaic Period

100

These free-standing statues of young men, often used as grave markers or votive offerings, typify Archaic sculpture.

Kouroi

200

This pottery technique, developed in Corinth and later Athens, features figures painted on red clay surfaces.

Black Figure Pottery

300

This famous sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Parnassus housed the oracle of Apollo.

Delphi

400

This architectural order, recognizable by its fluted columns and simple capitals, dominates Archaic temple construction in mainland Greece.

Doric Order

500

This city possessed a temple whose pediment featured a large Gorgon's head (Medusa)

Corfu

Classical Period

100

This temple on the Athenian Acropolis was dedicated to Athena Parthenos and completed in the 5th century BCE.

Parthenon

200

This sculptor created the famous statue of Zeus at Olympia, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Phidias

300

This type of pottery technique replaced black-figure and allowed greater naturalism in painted scenes.

Red Figure Pottery

400

This architect designed the Temple of Athena Nike and worked on the Propylaea on the Athenian Acropolis.

Kallikrates

500

This sanctuary in the Peloponnese hosted the healing cult associated with incubation rituals and the god Asclepius.

Epidauros

Hellenistic Period

100

This Egyptian city founded by Alexander the Great became a major center of learning and housed a famous library.

Alexandria

200

This dramatic sculpture discovered on Samothrace

Nike of Samothrace

300

Altar of Pergamon

400

This famous mosaic depicts the battle between the Macedonians and the Persians

Mosaic of Alexander (Issus or Gaugamela)

500

This site hosted the royal tombs of Macedonian Royal Family

Again/Vergina