 Mycenaean civilization originated and evolved from the society and culture of the Early and Middle Helladic period in mainland Greece under influences from Minoan Crete . Towards the end of the Middle Bronze Age ( c . 1600 BC ) a significant increase in the population and the number of settlements occurred . A number of centers of power emerged in southern mainland Greece dominated by a warrior elite society , while the typical dwellings of that era were an early type of megaron buildings . Some more complex structures are classified as forerunners of the later palaces . In a number of sites , defensive walls were also erected . 
