Cultural Dynamics in Ionia at the End of the Second Millennium BCE: New Archaeological Perspectives and Prospects

Was there ever an Ionian migration? This is a question that has recently led to much discussion among historians and archaeologists. The present study maintains, however, that the way in which the question has been posited means that it can only be answered in either negative or positive terms, which easily leads to polarisation. Moreover, archaeologists have tended to be more concerned with finding archaeological evidence to either support or reject the Ionian migration rather than with trying to come up with a sustained analytical or reasoned attempt to explore what allowed the material patterns observed to emerge. It is, therefore, suggested that it might perhaps be best to put the whole question to rest or at least sideline it for the time being and instead study the archaeological remains and the region on their own terms in an attempt to come to a better understanding of the material and social dynamics in Ionia at the end of the second millennium BCE. The aim of this study is not in the first place to reject previous research, but rather intends to steer archaeological research in the region into a different direction by asking new questions and offering alternative perspectives. The study starts with a review of shifts in academic perceptions of the region from the mid-eighteenth century up till present day and their socio-political and academic contexts. Subsequently, it presents a theoretical and methodological discussion. The two main chapters offer new perspectives on ceramic developments at the beginning of the twelfth century, most importantly the ‘Aegean’-style cooking pots, and eleventh and tenth centuries BCE (i.e. the appearance of Protogeometric pottery). At the very end of this study, I will look ahead by briefly discussing a new analytical project on Early Iron Age pottery at Klazomenai.