The Greek Dark Age was a period from roughly 1100 to 800 BCE, following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization.

This era was characterized by a sharp decline in population, the loss of writing (Linear B), and a simplification of material culture.

The complex palace-based economy of the Mycenaeans disappeared, replaced by small, isolated farming communities.

The technology of iron-working was introduced and spread during this period, gradually replacing bronze.

Pottery from this era is known as Protogeometric and Geometric, characterized by simple shapes and patterns.

Epic poems and myths, such as the stories of the Trojan War, were preserved through oral tradition by bards.

Population began to recover towards the end of the period, and trade with the wider Mediterranean revived.

The 'polis,' or city-state, emerged as the fundamental unit of Greek political and social organization.

A new writing system, the Greek alphabet, was adopted from the Phoenicians.

The Dark Age, despite its name, was a formative period that laid the groundwork for Classical Greek civilization.