Santorini - Bronze Age (3200-1100 BC)

The early Bronze Age in the Aegean, also knowninto the Cyclades. This infiltration affected not only
as the Early Cycladic period, is divided intopottery making, architecture and metallurgy, but
sub-periods, corresponding primarily to thealso writing, religion and systems of measurement.
advances in pottery techniques and design.The eruption of the Santorini volcano, in c. 1 650
By the first period of the Bronze Age (HalcolithicBC, made an impact on developments in the
Age), the Cyclades had already developed aAegean. Here was initial period of decline after the
culture with its own distinct features.eruption, but a revival soon followed.
The expansion of shipping and trade betweenThe settlement of Phylakopi on Milos (Phylakopi
2800-2700 BC generated the growth of ports,III) was rebuilt on top of the ruins of Phylahopi II.
which became small urban centers. BesidesEvidence shows that during this period the
Phylakopi on Milos, other centers were Akrotiri onCyclades invaded by the same peoples, mostly
Santorini, Aghia lrin on Kea, Parikia on Paros, andfrom mainland Greece, who had invaded Crete
so on. Fortified settlements also appeared, suchalter the eruption of the Santorini volcano.
as at Kastri on Syros, Panormos on Naxos,Phylakopi Ill was destroyed and Phylakopi IV
Kynthos on Delos, Halandriani on Syros, and so farbecame a fortified Settlement. Minoan Crete, like
on.the Cyclades, was strongly influenced by
But these settlements did not last long and cameMycenaean civilization.
to violent ends. As a result, artistic creation in theBecause of their geographic position, the
Aegean was suspended and the settlements didCyclades, in particular, became a bridge for
not evolve into city-states.Mycenaean trade activities.
After 2000 BC, Minoan civilization made inroads