In the sparkling waters of the southwest Aegean are the Cyclades Islands. About 220 islands in all, the Cyclades are home to a thriving Bronze Age culture. In the second millenium BCE, following natural disasters such as the eruption on Thera and an unprecedented dark age, the people of the Cyclades vanish.
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The Greek The name (Κυκλάδες νήσοι, Kykládes nísoi) or encircling islands, comes from the formation of a circular archipelago around the sacred island of Delos. It's said the Cyclades were sea nymphs who angered Poseidon, so he turned them into islands.
Why is the island of Delos sacred? It's the birthplace of Apollo, Greek god of the Sun, music and poetry, and his sister Artemis, goddess of wild animals, the hunt, vegetation, chastity and childbirth. When Romans take the stage c. 8th century BCE, they equate her with Diana.
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The brilliant blue colors of the Aegean sea come from the absorption of red color wavelengths and reflection of the blue and green tones. The water is nutrient poor and plant growth on the sea floor is minimal, allowing more intense light reflection.
The islands are sporadically inhabited in prehistory. Obsidian glass from the volcanic island of Milo is found in mainland settlements as early as 11,000 BCE.
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In the late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, artisans of the Cyclades turned out fanstasic sculptures and stone carvings made from the stunning white marble of the islands. Before the 5th millennium BCE, an amalgamation of Greek and Anatolia cultures create a distinctive Neolithic group in the west Aegean.
The people farm the land and sea. They grow emmer, a type of wheat, and wild barley. They herd sheep and goats, and keep pigs. Fishing is by spear from small boats, with tuna a plentiful food source.
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Signs of copper working appear at various excavation sites on the island. An important source of copper was the Island of Cyprus, south of the Cyclades. Cyprus would become the major copper source for the Romans too.
At the end of the 19th century CE, archaeologists coin the term "Cyclades Civilization" to refer to the island cultures. Although the islands are distinct they also stand together for the greater good.
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The turn of the century was so filled with discoveries and advances, a bunch of islands in a small sea have little meaning. Finally, in the 20th century, interest takes hold. The ancient figurines resemble the works of contemporary artists like Jean Arp. A brisk business in forgeries begins.
Archaeologists determine the cross-island spread of a farming and seafaring culture migrating from Anatolia c. 5000 BCE. Natural produce from the islands includes wine, fruit, wheat and olive oil. Pottery is also an item of trade.
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Carvings and art depict boats and people. There are two types of ship, a small personal style and a larger vessel with up to fifty rowers who came from the nearby islands. Cycladic culture evolves in phases.
Late Neolithic Period - best known for simplified flat figurines, mostly female, carved from the white marble found on the islands. About the same time the Minoan culture grows in Crete.
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Early Bronze Age - excavations at Knossos on Crete show influence of Cycladic civilization between 3400 - 2000 BCE, with Cycladic pottery found at Knossos.
Middle Bronze Age - Cycladic culture in the Middle Bronze age moves around, as shown by discovery of pottery and artifacts on Crete and mainland Greece. In some areas, Cycladic walls dating back to the Middle Bronze Age are built onto older walls.
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Late Bronze Age - habitation of the islands is limited, but all work together if needed. The spectacular palaces and airy frescoes of Crete and Myceneae soon overtake the more rustic structure of the islands.
On some islands, inhabitants erect large stone houses. Gender roles are distinctive and men and women fill specific roles. Women take care of domestic chores, livestock, spinning and weaving, milking, cooking, gathering and light agriculture.
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Men go to sea, for trade or political advancement, build, work with stone, heavy materials and agriculture. The average age is early twenties, with women dying younger than men.
Pottery constitutes much of what's left of the artifacts of Cycladic culture. Pottery making, styles, materials and trade helps organize Cycladic chronology. Evidence suggests pottery is among the primary trade goods especially during the Early Cycladic period.
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The 'frying pan' pottery is unique to the Cyclades. It's not used for cooking food and has a more ornamental purpose. This one depicts a boat with several rowers.
In the 2nd millennium BCE, the Cyclades civilization ceases to exist. The people have migrated to the mainland and into the cultures of surrounding civilizations. Myceneae and Crete evolve as dominant forces. Cyclades statuettes are still in hot demand at the market. Today the Cyclades are a favorite vacation destination.
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