What occurred during the Ancient Greek Dark Age, following the fall of the Mycenaean civilization?

During the Ancient Greek Dark Age, which followed the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization around 1200 BCE, there was a significant regression in various aspects of society, including writing and cultural advancement. The Mycenaean civilization was known for its elaborate palaces, extensive trade networks, and the use of Linear B script for writing. However, after its decline, there was a widespread loss of literacy and the cessation of large-scale artistic production and economic activity.

This period is characterized by a decrease in population, the abandonment of cities, and a general decline in trade and material culture. The lack of written records during this time is indicative of the broader cultural stagnation. The Greek Dark Age eventually gave way to the Archaic period, during which writing was reintroduced through the adaptation of the Phoenician alphabet, leading to the revival of Greek culture. This revitalization set the stage for the subsequent developments in city-states, democracy, and territorial expansion in later periods, but it was the loss of writing and cultural achievement that distinctly marked the Dark Age itself.