ABSTRACT
During the Late Helladic III period, Mycenaean influence is pervasive across the entire Aegean and leads to the impression of a shared cultural repertoire, a so-called koine. Key sites are Grotta on Naxos, Phylakopi on Melos, Ayia Irini on Kea and Trianda on Rhodes. The megaron, a central administrative building, is evidenced at Phylakopi and Koukounaries and shows the adoption of a palatial architectural design in the islands. ‘Cyclopean’ fortification walls can be found at Koukounaries on Paros, Phylakopi on Melos and Ayios Andeas on Siphnos. Mycenaean-type chamber tombs and tholos tombs are found across the islands, including several warrior graves. Evidence of religion is limited to the Sanctuary at Phylakopi (West Shrine and East Shrine) and the Temple at Ayia Irini on Kea. The ‘Lady of Phylakopi’ stands out among the human and animal figurines. Much of the exported Mycenaean pottery was mass-produced in workshops in the Argolid. The most popular types are the kylix, stirrup jar, piriform jar and alabastron which have been found on all the Greek islands, Cyprus and even in the Near East. Mycenaean influence is most likely due to emulation, not a hostile take-over of the islands. Towards LH IIIB, we witness a time of increasing instability and the eventual collapse of the Mycenaean palace society on the Greek mainland by LH IIIC. This period sees an influx of migrants to the Dodecanese, Cyclades, Chios and Cyprus. The export of true Mycenaean pottery has now declined dramatically; instead islands are producing Mycenaean pottery locally alongside their own indigenous traditions.
