Submycenaean pottery

Definition

Submycenaean pottery refers to a distinctive style of ceramic ware that emerged in Greece during the transitional period between the Mycenaean civilization's decline and the subsequent Dark Ages, roughly around 1100-900 BCE. This type of pottery is characterized by its simpler shapes and less elaborate decoration compared to earlier Mycenaean pottery, reflecting a broader cultural shift as Greek society adapted to the challenges of this era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Submycenaean pottery emerged as a response to the sociopolitical upheaval following the fall of the Mycenaean civilization, indicating a shift in artistic and cultural practices.
2. The pottery features more utilitarian forms and less intricate designs, suggesting a decrease in resources and artistic skills during this challenging period.
3. Many surviving examples of submycenaean pottery have been found in burial contexts, hinting at its role in funerary practices or daily life at the time.
4. This type of pottery marks the transitional phase that ultimately leads into the Geometric period, which saw a revival in complexity and craftsmanship.
5. Submycenaean pottery is primarily dated through stylistic analysis and its stratigraphic context at archaeological sites, helping to reconstruct the timeline of post-Mycenaean Greece.

Review Questions

• How does submycenaean pottery reflect the cultural shifts occurring in Greece after the collapse of Mycenaean civilization?
  • Submycenaean pottery reflects significant cultural shifts as it emerged in response to the sociopolitical instability following the Mycenaean civilization's decline. The simpler forms and lack of elaborate decoration indicate a reduction in resources and artistic skills, suggesting that society was adapting to new realities. This pottery serves as evidence of how daily life and artistic expression were affected during this transition to the Dark Ages.
• Discuss the significance of submycenaean pottery in understanding the transition from the Mycenaean period to the Dark Ages in Greek history.
  • Submycenaean pottery is crucial for understanding the transition from the Mycenaean period to the Dark Ages because it illustrates a clear shift in artistic styles and societal values. The pottery's more utilitarian designs signify a decline in trade networks and cultural exchange that were hallmarks of Mycenaean civilization. By examining these artifacts, archaeologists can glean insights into how communities adapted to their changed circumstances during this time.
• Evaluate how submycenaean pottery serves as a bridge between Mycenaean civilization and later Greek cultural developments, particularly concerning artistic techniques and societal structures.
  • Submycenaean pottery acts as a critical bridge between Mycenaean civilization and later Greek cultural developments by showcasing both continuity and change in artistic techniques and societal structures. Although it reflects a decline in complexity compared to Mycenaean ceramics, it also lays the groundwork for future styles like Geometric pottery that mark a revival of artistic expression. This evolution demonstrates how societies can retain certain traditions while adapting to new realities, ultimately influencing subsequent phases of Greek history.

Related terms

Mycenaean civilization: An advanced Bronze Age culture in Greece known for its palatial states, monumental architecture, and sophisticated art, which flourished from approximately 1600 to 1100 BCE.

Geometric pottery: A style of Greek pottery that followed the submycenaean period, characterized by geometric patterns and figures, marking a resurgence in artistic expression after the Dark Ages.

Dark Ages:

A period in Greek history following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, marked by reduced population, loss of literacy, and a decline in artistic production.