The next age of Greek civilization on which archæology has concentrated
its searchlight is the Mycenean (fl. c. 1600-1100 B. C.). The Mycenean
civilization is revealed to us by excavations in the sites of Mycenæ,
Tiryns, etc. The characteristic features of these splendid cities is
their massiveness and solidity. Pausanias relates that tradition
attributed the building of Tiryns and Mycenæ to the Cyclopes (hence the
expression “Cyclopean walls” used to denote structures of this massive
type), thus testifying to the gigantic edifices of prehistoric times as
contrasted with the masonry of a later date. The jewelry, pottery and
weapons excavated from these ancient cities are of rare beauty. Iron was
practically unknown in the Mycenean age. Its use is more extensive in
the Homeric age, and therefore Homeric civilization is probably
post-Mycenean.