The civilisations of the Greece in the Ancient World have inspired and fascinated throughout European history. The stories of Homer, later reinforced by the pioneering archaeological work carried out by men such as Heinrich Schliemann at Mycenae and Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos, have enabled modern researchers and historians to piece together a rich material culture and reconstruct the mysteries of the Ancient World.
The mainland and islands of Greece were extensively settled by peoples moving from Asia Minor in c.5000 BC, while a further wave in c.5000 BC introduced bronze-working to the region. It is form this point on that it is possible to discern a distinct Cycladic or Aegean civilisation, developing at roughly the same time as the Egyptian and Persian civilisations. Further to the south, the Minoan civilisation based on Crete held sway, and this power - along with the Helladic Achaeans to the north gradually swamped the Cycladic civilisation in between.
In common with mos
