Early_Greece

Early Greece Archeological evidence has unveiled a wealth of information about early Greece which dates from approximately 50,000B.C. to 1200 B.C. The timeline is broken down into three eras. The Paleolthic era also known as the Old Stone Age, roughly began millions of years ago and lasted through 20,000 B.C. During this time, more than one human species lived on Earth, and formed groups called bands that hunted and gathered their food daily. As of today, archeologists are unsure of the ethnicities of these people but evidence reveals they roamed the countryside’s. Evidence such as tools and weapons made from stone, wood, and bone have been excavated and date back to this time period in Greece. The Mesolithic era also known as the Middle Age which followed, marks the beginning of agriculture for most civilizations and lasts from 9000-7000 B.C. During this time populations increased on the Eastern coast of mainland Greece, domesticaton of animals such as sheep, pigs, cattle, and goats occurred as well as plants such as grain, grapes and later olives. Primitive houses were constructed and grouped together with kitchens located outdoors. The Neolithic era, or New Stone Age which lasted from 7000-3000BC is marked by a single species of humankind and in Greece, the development of small farming. Greece is located in the Mediterranean climate zone which has long, hot, and dry summers and short, cool, moist winters. The physical landscape of Greece is very mountainous, rocky, and uneven soil which leaves little room for farmland. Water sources are a scarcity in Greece featuring only a few lakes and rivers to pull fresh water from which hinders the development of many staple crops suitable for living. The Mediterranean Triad which consists of grain, grapes, and olives were the staple crops in Greece during this time which helped Greece advance their civilization through exporting and importing (trade). By 3000 BC the Stone Age was over but it left its mark on Greek civilization. For example, political organizations were in place, agriculture had advanced, trade with other cultures had begun, and religious practices were passed down. All of these were influenced by the surrounding areas such as the Ancient Near East. The dawn of civilization occurs during the next era called the Bronze Age which dates from 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. Its name is derived from the invention of Bronze. Humans discovered if you mix 90% copper and 10% tin you will create a stronger metal called bronze which revolutionized how the Greeks made tools, weapons, and pottery. The trade of bronze spread throughout the Mediterranean, political organizations, and social stratification began to appear. Bronze was distributed throughout the Cyclades, Crete, and the Greek mainland. The Cycladic culture during the early Bronze Age is one that flourished the most. They lived on a group of islands located in the Southern Aegean Sea. They were able to provide accessible land and refuge for sailors from Greece and Turkey. The natural resources used for trade that came from the islands were marble, silver, and gold. Also the staple crops of grapes were made into wine along with cheese which was also exported. However the low rainfall, and scarce water sources reduced animal husbandry and made agriculture difficult. Religious ceremonies were also conducted by the Cycladic and Minoan culture. The dead were buried in small graves, production of miniature artwork in the form of a female goddess of fertility have been excavated which is thought to be a good luck charm for the deceased. Religious artifacts and shrines have also been excavated. Shrines were placed on mountain peaks and in caves. Female figures seem to dominate and several symbols are commonly found around the shrines. For example, trees, birds, bull, dove, serpent, and a young boy believed to have been physcic. The next culture is the Minoan culture whose name is derived from the god Minos. The Minoan culture lived on the island of Crete and created a number of key city states. Two of whom are Phaestus and Cnossos, whose remains reveal a powerful, and civilized culture once inhabited Crete. Archeologist Arthur Evans unearthed a 5 acre palace which contained multiple stories. Social hierarchy marked by jewels, and metal , division of labor, a centralized government and a small ruling class have been deciphered from the remains in Crete. The Linear A tablets reveal exportation and importation of goods such as cooper, tin, ivory, and artwork occurred during this time. Although the Minoans were extremely civilized marked by the upper class living in houses that had reception rooms, lavatories, halls, and staircases leading to private quarters their downfall was the lack of military defense. There are several scholars, archeologists, paleontologists, and linguists who are credited for opening up and understanding the ancient world . Archeology has played a vital role in uncovering the mysteries of ancient history. For example, in 1799 the Rosetta Stone was excavated and the hyroglificis were deciphered by Jean Champollion, a linguist scholar. The data he gathered concluded the Rosetta Stone was a decree honoring Euphonies dating back to 196 B.C. Champollion’s linguistic discovery opened new avenues for understanding the ancient world. Half a century later a scholar named Henry Rawlinson copied cuneiform script which was written from right to left and found on the Behistum Monument which stood 225 feet high on a cliff on the Zygros Mountains which separates Iraq from Iran. Rawlinson saw from the inscriptions to be a proclamation from Darius the Great. It was also trilingual in three columns and had three different languages. Old Persian, Elimite, and Semitic language. Champollion’s discoveries led to further studies in the Aegean Sea. One scholar, named Heinrich Schliemann was a German archeologist whose key dates are from 1870-1885. Schliemann worked under the conviction that Homer was historical and not mythological. His greatest accomplishments were the excavation of Troy and Mycenae which proved they were powerful city states and whose remains coincided with Homers descriptions. Arthur Evans was a business man who turned to archeology. He focused on present day Crete, an island south of Greece, and whose location was strategically located in the Aegean Sea. In 1899, Evans excavated the city of Cnossos and found a marvelous palace that consisted of 5 acres of land. Linguistic evidence was also uncovered in the form of clay tablets dating from 1750-1400 B.C. Although as of today these clay tablets known as Linear A have not been deciphered many conclude they contain economical information such as trade and inventory based on the Linear B tablets that have been decoded. Evans findings also proved that advance civilization existed on the island and influenced the culture of mainland Greece. Michael Ventris, and English architect was the scholar who deciphered the Linear B tablets which contained an archaic form of Greek. The deciphering of Linear B tablets proved two things. First the Greeks settled in the Aegean area by 1400 B.C. Secondly, according to archeological evidence uncovered to date is unable to place the exact date of the Greeks arrival.