Key Events and Concepts of the Aegean Bronze Age

Aegean Bronze Age

Approximately 3000-1000 BC.

Thera (Santorini) eruption

Between 1627 and 1600 BC.

Palace of Knossos construction

Circa 2800 BC.

Mycenaean civilization dominance

Circa 1600-1100 BC.

Grave Circle A at Mykene usage

Approximately 1600-1500 BC.

Knossos

A major Minoan palace complex in Crete, central to trade, administration, and possibly mythological inspiration.

Akrotiri, Santorini discovery

A Minoan town buried in volcanic ash around 1626 BC, preserving buildings, frescoes, and providing insight into Aegean life.

Mykene, Greece findings

Heavily fortified citadel with shaft graves, tholos tombs, and palatial architecture; associated with Mycenaean warrior culture.

Uluburun shipwreck significance

A Bronze Age shipwreck revealing extensive Mediterranean trade networks.

Borum Eshøj importance

A burial mound showing Bronze Age elite burials with grave goods.

Secondary Products Revolution

A theory by Andrew Sherratt about new uses for domesticated animals (milk, wool, traction).

Cyclopean masonry

Massive stone walls used in Mycenaean fortifications.

Megaron

A Mycenaean throne room and reception hall.

Tholos tomb

A beehive-shaped burial structure used for elite Mycenaean burials.

Linear A and Linear B

Linear A is undeciphered Minoan script; Linear B is deciphered Mycenaean Greek script.

Rhyton

A ceremonial drinking vessel often shaped like animals.

Uluburun shipwreck (c. 1300 BC)

Found off the coast of Turkey, containing trade goods showing wide-reaching networks.

Bredarör, Sweden discovery

A Bronze Age elite burial cairn reflecting symbolic burial practices.

Tanum, Sweden site

Rock art showing boats, warriors, animals, and rituals; insight into Bronze Age beliefs.

Flag Fen

A wetland ritual site in England with wooden causeways and ceremonial offerings.

Su Nuraxi di Barumini importance

A Sardinian Nuragic complex demonstrating defensive architecture and hierarchy.

Rise of fortification in Bronze Age Europe

Increased warfare and emergence of ruling elites.

Typical Bronze Age weapons

Bronze swords, daggers, spearheads, and arrowheads.

Evidence of warrior elite in Mycenaean Greece

Lavish graves with weapons, armor, and martial art themes.

Mycenaean citadels

Reflect centralized power.

Fortified hilltops

Organized crafts, and written records of taxation.

Shaft graves

Burials associated with Mycenaean elites filled with rich grave goods.

Tholos tombs

Elite Mycenaean burials symbolizing wealth and power.

Grave goods

Typically included gold masks, weapons, imported materials, and fine ceramics.

Ritual activity evidence in Bronze Age Europe

Offerings in bogs, rock carvings, shrines, ceremonial vessels.

European Iron Age

Defined by the use of iron, social stratification, warfare, and elaborate burials.

Difference between Iron Age and Bronze Age

Iron use increases, with more fortifications and written records.

Iron Age evidence

Defined by iron tools, hillforts, burials, art, and trade evidence.

Hallstatt culture

Central European Iron Age culture known for salt mining and elite burials.

Hallstatt site

Reveals salt mines, elite grave goods, and long-distance trade evidence.

Difference between Hallstatt and Bronze Age sites

More hierarchy, trade networks, and monumental burials.

Role of salt in Hallstatt society

A valuable resource used for food preservation and trade.

Ritual activity evidence in Iron Age

Indicated by sacrifices, bog bodies, votive offerings, ceremonial items.

Famous bog body example

Tollund Man, found in Denmark, interpreted as human sacrifice.

Ritual weapon deposits

Interpreted as offerings to deities in lakes and bogs.

Challenges in interpreting ritual evidence

Symbolism is culturally specific and requires context-based interpretation.

Burials associated with Iron Age elites

Include barrows, chariot burials, and rich grave goods.

Iron Age burial goods

Suggest reflections of rank, gender, power, and wealth.

Chariot burial

An elite burial involving a chariot, symbolizing high status.

Comparison of Iron Age and Bronze Age burials

Iron Age burials are more monumental and status-marked.

Materials circulated in Iron Age trade

Iron, salt, amber, glass, wine, and bronze items.

Role of elite feasting in Iron Age

Displays of prestige and political alliances.

Specialized crafts in Iron Age

Include metalwork, textiles, pottery, and chariot gear.

Status determination in Iron Age graves

Based on quality/quantity of grave goods and burial type.

La Tène culture

A late Iron Age culture known for art, warrior burials, and expansion.

Oppidum

A large fortified Iron Age settlement serving as a tribal center.

Social hierarchy in Iron Age societies

Shown through elite burials, trade control, and settlement organization.