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Aegean civilization is a general term for the Bronze Age civilizations of Greece and the Aegean. There are in fact three distinct but communicating and interacting geographic regions covered by this term: Crete, the Cyclades and the Greek mainland. Crete is associated with the Minoan civilization from the Early Bronze Age, while the Cyclades and the mainland have distinct cultures. The Cyclades converge with the mainland during the Early Helladic ("Minyan") period and with Crete in the Middle Minoan period. From ca. 1450 (Late Helladic, Late Minoan), the Greek Mycenaean civilization spreads to Crete.
Periodization
Mainland
* Early Helladic EH 2800-2100 BCE
* Middle Helladic MH 2100-1500 BCE
* Late Helladic LH 1500-1100 BCE
Crete
* Early Minoan EM 3650-2160 BCE
* Middle Minoan MM 2160-1600 BCE
* Late Minoan LM 1600-1170 BCE
Cyclades
* Early Cycladic 3300-2000 BCE
* Kastri = EH II-EH III (ca. 2500-2100) BCE
* Convergence with MM from ca. 2000 BCE
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