The early Bronze Age settlement of Skarkos, an important archaeological site located on the island of Ios in Cyclades archipelago, dating back to 3rd Millennium BC. This settlement provides valuable insights into the early stages of urban development in the Aegean and the lifestyle of the Cycladic people. Skarkos was inhabited from around 3000-2000 BC and is notable for its well-preserved ruins, including residential buildings, streets, and storage areas. The site’s layout suggests a relatively advanced level of organization for its time, with multi-room houses constructed from stone and mudbrick, arranged in a semi-organized fashion, which reflects a sense of urban planning in an era that predated the more well-known palatial centers of the Minoans and Mycenaeans.

The archaeological findings at Skarkos reveal a thriving settlement with a strong maritime economy, evidenced by pottery, tools, and trade items found on the site. The Cycladic people of this period were skilled craftsmen, creating distinctive pottery, as well as figurines, particularly the famous Cycladic idols, which are abstract representations of human figures, often associated with burial practices and religious beliefs. The settlement of Skarkos also highlights the significance of the island's strategic location in the Aegean, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges across the region. The excavation of Skarkos has shed light on the daily life, social structures, and artistic practices of the early Bronze Age inhabitants of the Cyclades, making it one of the key sites for understanding the prehistory of the Aegean world.

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