The later ancient Greek practice of marking amphorae with the names of production centers, known as amphora stamps, became more common during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. However, similar practices can be traced back many centuries earlier.

During the Bronze Age in Greece (circa 3000–1200 BC), trade played a crucial role in connecting various regions and facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas. Extensive maritime routes linked the Aegean islands with the mainland, and extended further to Cyprus. Overland trade routes also connected Greece to Anatolia and the broader Eastern Mediterranean. This network allowed for a rich exchange of commodities and cultural practices across these regions.

Luxury items were prominent among the traded goods. Olive oil and wine, both essential staples of ancient Greek life, were widely exchanged. Grains, another fundamental resource, also moved along these trade routes. Pottery, often intricately designed and highly valued, was another significant traded item. Metals, such as copper and tin—critical for bronze production—were traded extensively, highlighting the interconnected nature of ancient economies.

Marble from the Cycladic islands was particularly prized. The Cycladic marble, known for its quality and beauty, was used in various artistic and architectural projects. The movement of these goods not only supported economic development but also facilitated cultural and technological exchanges, laying the groundwork for practices like the later amphora stamps.

In essence, the intricate trade networks of the Bronze Age not only established economic connections but also set the stage for the development of practices that would become more formalized in later periods. These early exchanges and the movement of luxury goods underscore the long history of trade and designation practices that evolved over the millennia.

John Chadwick, FBA (21 May 1920 – 24 November 1998) who was an English linguist and classical scholar and most notable for the decipherment, with Michael Ventris, of Linear B quotes an interesting part about :

«..Here is the following noteworthy observation: in at least four vessels originating from mainland Greece, we find the names of cities in Crete, known from one of the tablets in Knossos. In Crete, vessels bearing such advanced forms of inscriptions have not been found so far, but some of this type, discovered in Thebes, appear to have been manufactured in Crete.

Therefore, we would say that it was a Cretan practice to inscribe on vessels intended for export the type of their origin. These inscriptions, as we can accept, were engraved to serve as distinctive names or commercial marks, as a guarantee of the authentic origin of the liquid product contained in the vessels..»

This observation highlights a significant aspect of ancient commerce. Although vessels with advanced inscriptions haven’t been discovered in Crete, some found in Thebes seem to have been produced there. This suggests that the practice of inscribing vessels with their place of origin might have been particularly associated with goods intended for export.

Chadwick’s insight suggests that these inscriptions were likely used as commercial marks, serving to guarantee the authenticity of the product within. This practice indicates a sophisticated level of trade and branding, where the origin of the product was emphasized to assure quality and authenticity.

Thus, even in ancient times, the importance of marking goods to indicate their provenance was recognized, ensuring that consumers could trust the origin and quality of the products they were purchasing. This early form of product labeling laid the groundwork for more formalized systems of designation and authentication in later periods.