The Cyclades in the Bronze Age

The Cycladic Bronze Age produced a wealth of distinctive art objects and a thoroughly unified and thriving culture. In this impressive and profusely illustrated volume, Robin Barber fills a surprising gap in the literature by providing a complete guide to all aspects of Bronze Age culture in the Aegean Cycladic islands.

The product of great though and labor, The Cyclades in the Bronze Age first presents the Cycladic landscape-including contemporary analogies where relevant-and the history of exploration in the islands. The rich Early Cycladic period is thoroughly described as Barber reviews its history and settlements, cemeteries and burial customs, pottery, marble vessels and figures, metallurgy and metal objects, and obsidian artifacts.

Next, the islands' history during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, with the emerging Cretan connection during the latter period, is amply discussed. Separate chapters are devoted to the site and artifacts of Akrotiri, whose excavations have illuminated the practical realities of life in a Bronze Age town, and to the influence of Mycenae and the end of the Aegean Bronze Age.

In addition to Barber's concise, carefully written text, The Cyclades in the Bronze Age is opulently illustrated with two hundred photographs and maps of the Cycladic excavations and their intriguing artifacts.