A. POTTERY

The sequence of the different classes of pottery found in North-Eastern Greece is now fairly well established by the collation of the results of excavations. The principal point on which information is lacking is the chronology of the earliest wares. The later fabrics can be dated approximately, since they have been found with Mycenean (Minoan), Minyan, and other southern wares. Further excavations in the Cyclades, Boeotia, and the Peloponnesus will probably throw fresh light on this and other obscure points, arid the full publication of the pottery from Orchomenos and Tiryns will also be of great assistance.

In dealing with a prehistoric culture the pottery, especially when it is painted, is of prime importance in determining its relationship to other similar cultures, and is in this respect a far safer guide than architectural remains We therefore propose before proceeding to describe the finds made at the excavated sites, to tabulate the principal classes of pottery found in this area. It is a truism that the history of any prehistoric site which has a deep, undisturbed deposit can be read in its pottery. It is for this reason that in the following pages we lay particular emphasis on the pottery rather than on any other class of objects. In the table of the different wares we have for the sake of convenience adopted and extended Tsundas' classification.