SILVER IN THE AEGEAN BRONZE AGE. A SHORT SURVEY FROM THE EARLY BRONZE AGE TO THE MYCENAEAN PRE-PALATIAL PERIOD

Abstract

Greek epic poetry and modern archaeological research have made gold a symbol of Mycenae, and of the Mycenaean civilization as a whole, while silver has been largely neglected. This paper, by contrast, represents the first step towards a full assessment of the role and value of silver in the Late Bronze Age Aegean. For the sake of conciseness, the present survey is restricted to a range of emblematic contexts, with a special focus on the rich burial contexts of Argolid, Messenia, and Laconia, dating to the Mycenaean pre-palatial period. It also examines recent discoveries regarding evidence for the early (Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age) exploitation of the lead and silver ores in the Lavrion region of southeast Attica.