THE ARCHEOLOGY OF ANCIENT GREEK COLONIZATION

Abstract

The culture, economy and politics of the Mediterranean world during the period of the colonization of the region by ancient Greeks were the major forces of the cultural, economic and political activity of this time. The archaeological record supports the study of Greek colonization, which provides valuable hints with regard to the migration process, settlement formation, and the process of cross-cultural interaction in the ancient Mediterranean. The archaeology of ancient Greek colonization explored in this paper is based on the study of material remnants, including settlement patterns, architectural structures, pottery, inscriptions, and trade objects upon excavation in various places of their colonial presence. The study with the help of archaeology and comparative historical methods will look into how we can use these material remains of physical nature to make inferences about the urban planning, economic activities and cultural interactions between Greek settlers and the local people. Archaeological facts reveal that colonization resulted into development of sophisticated trade roads, mixed types of cultural existence, and alternative modes of urban existence. Evaluating these remnants of the materials allows the paper to reveal the significant role of the Greek colonization in the creation of the interdependent societies of the ancient Mediterranean world.