Cover photo: Cylindrical Pyxis Cover of the Grotta-Pelos Group, 3000–2800 B.C.

Compasses are one of the characteristic forms of pottery in the Early Cycladic I period (3200 – 2800 BC), particularly common in burials. These are spherical or cylindrical vessels with lids, likely used as containers for jewelry and other small objects. At the specific example presented here, a chalky white substance fills the incisions, making the patterns stand out against the surrounding surface. The lid of a terracotta pyxis is decorated with herringbone patterns. The exterior of the container is decorated with incised geometric designs: herring-bone patterns separated by rows of parallel lines on the lid and zig zags on the body. The vessel is intact with some minor damages on the edges of the rims of the body and the lid.

The earliest vestiges of human habitation in the Cyclades archipelago date back to the 9th-8th millennium BC and originate from the island of Kythnos. However, implements crafted from obsidian sourced from Milos have been excavated in the Franchthi Cave of Argolis, within strata dating to the 11th millennium BC. This suggests that the exploitation of this specific raw material commenced at a notably early juncture, conceivably by transient visitors.

Systematic settlement of the islands began to unfold during the latter stages of the 6th and the 5th millennium BC. The oldest extensive settlement discovered to date is situated on the islet of Saliagos, nestled between the islands of Paros and Antiparos. Additional Neolithic sites have been identified on the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, Thera, Kea, and Andros. Neolithic domiciles predominantly exhibited lithic construction. In certain instances, settlements were encompassed by fortified enclosures. Inhabitants subsisted through agrarian pursuits, encompassing the cultivation of cereals and legumes, alongside the husbandry of caprine and bovine livestock. Additionally, sustenance was derived from foraging wild fruits, hunting, and fishing endeavors. Remnants indicative of nascent metallurgical activities have also been discerned.

It is confirmed that the carrier of the Early Cycladic culture was a small-sized people belonging to the Mediterranean type. These inhabitants were experienced and daring seafarers, navigating the surrounding seas with their primitive boats and excelling in piracy. In contrast to Minoan Crete, the architecture of settlements does not feature a single house that could be considered the residence of a leader. Instead, each settlement possibly constituted a kind of autonomous village that had to solve its vital problems. The wealth difference is revealed in cemeteries and tombs where objects of daily life were placed.

During the Proto-Cycladic I period (Grotta-Pelos Phase) spanning from around 3200 BCE to 2800 BCE, the continuation of the Neolithic tradition is evident through the presence of small settlements and residences crafted from basic materials. There is a scarcity of known remnants of settlements from this phase, and our insights mainly derive from the artifacts discovered in tombs. Recent digs, such as those at Strofila on Andros, have yielded abundant evidence shedding light on the residential aspects of this era. Clay vessels, featuring predominantly cylindrical or spherical pyxides and kraters, showcase a dark hue with a glazed surface, adorned with engraved embellishments.

Nevertheless, what distinguishes the Cycladic Civilization is the utilization of marble vessels and figurines. The abundant availability of Cycladic marble empowered the inhabitants of these islands to produce exceptional works that continue to captivate through the passage of time.

Sources

“Acquisitions/1991″, The J. Paul Getty Museum Journal 20, 1992.

Towne Markus, Elana. Masterpieces of the J. Paul Getty Museum: Antiquities, Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum, 1997.

“History of the Greek Nation,” Athens Editions, 2021, Vol. 1, pp. 96-100.

Christine Mitchell Havelock, “Cycladic Sculpture: A Prelude to Greek Art?”, Archaeology, Vol. 34, No. 4 (July/August 1981), pp. 29-36.