DISCOVER. HISTORY.
Prehistory
The Dawn of Civilization
The Argolid is rich in prehistoric significance. It is known for its pivotal role in early Greek history and archaeology, offering insights into the development of ancient civilizations. Evidence of human activity dates back to the Paleolithic period, with stone tools discovered in caves such as the Franchthi Cave, one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Europe, and the Klissoura Cave located in a limestone gorge near the Berbati Valley.
These natural caves and rock shelters bear testament to how humans adapted to their environment through a combination of hunting, gathering, and utilizing natural shelters and provide a detailed picture of their lifestyle. They were the primary forms of habitation. Sites like Franchthi Cave and Klissoura Cave show prolonged occupation during the paleolithic period. These caves provided protection from the elements and predators while serving as central locations for tool-making, food preparation, and social interaction.
The Paleolithic Argolid had a cooler and wetter climate than today, with forests and open landscapes that supported diverse flora and fauna.
Humans adapted their diets and activities to the changing environment, utilizing a wide range of resources. People relied on hunting animals like deer, wild boar, and smaller game, as well as gathering edible plants, nuts, and berries. The proximity to the Aegean Sea provided opportunities for fishing and collecting shellfish, as evidenced by remains found in caves such as Franchthi. Seasonal movement was likely, as communities followed the availability of resources.
Small, mobile groups likely formed the basic social structure, cooperating in hunting and gathering activities. The distribution of hearths and artifacts in cave sites suggests shared spaces for cooking, tool-making, and resting, indicating a communal way of life.
During the Neolithic period (ca. 7000–3000 BCE), the Argolid saw the emergence of settled communities. Pottery fragments, tools, and evidence of early farming activities highlight the transition to a more sedentary lifestyle.
The Klissoura Cave of Berbati has helped us shape our understanding of early human activity, particularly the transition between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
In the shadow of Mycenae
The Bronze Age in the Peloponnesus (circa 3000–1100 BCE) was a transformative period marked by the rise of complex societies, monumental architecture, and advanced technologies. This era is most closely associated with the emergence of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the region in the latter part of the Bronze Age.
Early Bronze Age (ca. 3000-2000 BCE) societies in the Peloponnesus were influenced by both indigenous Neolithic traditions and external contacts with the Aegean islands, Anatolia, and the Cyclades. Small agrarian communities expanded, with key early sites such as Lerna (famous for the “House of the Tiles,” an early example of complex multi-story architecture) showcasing advanced construction techniques and social organization. Metalworking, particularly with bronze (a copper-tin alloy), began to flourish, enabling improved tools, weapons, and decorative items.
The Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1600 BCE) saw the growth of more hierarchical societies. Settlements became more fortified, likely due to increased competition and warfare. Pottery styles and burial practices (e.g. tholos tombs) became more elaborate, reflecting increasing stratification. Trade networks extended throughout the Aegean and beyond, bringing goods such as Minoan pottery from Crete.
The Late Bronze Age (ca. 1600–1100 BCE), also known as the Mycenaean Period, saw the rise of Mycenaean Palatial Centers: The Peloponnesus became the heart of Mycenaean Greece, with major centers like Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos dominating the landscape. These cities were characterized by palaces that served as administrative, economic, and religious hubs. The Linear B script, an early form of Greek, was used for record-keeping in these palaces, reflecting advanced bureaucracy.
The Mycenaeans adopted and adapted Minoan artistic styles, producing frescoes, jewelry, and pottery. Monumental tombs (tholos tombs like the “Treasury of Atreus”) reflected their wealth and power. Mycenaean Greece engaged in extensive trade with Egypt, the Levant, and Anatolia, and the Peloponnesians were also known as formidable warriors.
The Berbati valley became increasingly significant during the Bronze Age, particularly in relation to the rise of Mycenae, and was likely a small but independent chiefdom prior to becoming a satellite agricultural and production area supporting the Mycenaean palatial economy with agricultural surplus and artisanal goods. Excavations have revealed evidence of habitation, tombs, and pottery production, indicating its integration into the broader Mycenaean economic and cultural network.
By the 12th century BCE, Mycenaean palaces were abandoned or destroyed. The reasons remain debated but likely include a combination of internal strife, invasions, and natural disasters. The collapse led to the so-called Greek Dark Age, but Mycenaean achievements persisted in Greek mythology and oral traditions, eventually inspiring the epic tales of Homer.
The Mycenaean period particularly regarded as a cornerstone of Greek identity and mythology. The ruins and artifacts from this era remain some of the most evocative archaeological finds in Greece.
The Klissoura Gorge
In the Kleisoura Gorge approximately 30 caves and rock shelters have been identified. The data from the systematic excavation of Klissoura Cave 1 outline a development of prehistoric habitation during the Upper and Final Paleolithic, the Mesolithic, Middle and Late Neolithic, ending with traces of the Bronze Age.
Mastos Hill
From substantial village in the final Neolithic period, to significant production site of Mycenaean pottery to fortressed settlement in Medieval ages, Mastos Hill has been the most dominated landmark of the Berbati Valley through the ages.
The Western Necropolis
Berbati’s Mycenaean Chamber Tomb Cemetary was located about one kilometer WNW from Mastos Hill, on the lower slopes of the Phytesoumia ridge and oriented to the once perennial river of Asterion…
The Tholos Tomb
The Tholos Tomb of Berbati was discovered and excavated in 1935. The presence of the tholos tomb suggests that Berbati was a small but independent chiefdom, prior to its annexation by Mycenae.
The Mycenaean Road
In the Late Bronze Age routes of communication with the Berbati valley became important. One such route began on the northern side of the citadel of Mycenae, passed by the Perseia spring and the Drakonera bridge on the Mycenae side and emerged into the Berbati Valley over the saddle between the mountains Zara and Kondovouni…
Female Figurines
Small female terracotta figurines are the most common type of Mycenaean cult objects. They have been known since the rediscovery of the Mycenaean world in the late 19th century. At Mastos Hill, fragments of 139 well-produced female figurines were documented, that were most likely part of the production in the Potter’s workshop. Another 7 complete figurines were found in two chamber tombs during excavations in the 1930’s. The parts of seven female figurines were assembled during the Berbati-Limnes survey and in 1999 several female figurines were found during a survey covering the whole of Mastos.