Head of a Cycladic Statue, Keros-Syros Culture

This head of a Cycladic Statue is similar to the ancient Cycladic art that flourished in the islands of the Aegean Sea from c. 3300 to 1100 BCE.

The Cycladic culture is one of three dominant Aegean cultures along with the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations.

This marble head highlights the critical sculptured features of the nose, ears, and mouth.

The face is typical of the elongated oval Cycladic faces and is set on a long neck, which may have been broken off a larger body.

The sculpture has evidence of painted eyes and red vertical striations on the right check.

This 4,500-years-old sculpture was created by the Keros-Syros culture, which is named after two islands in the Cyclades, Keros, and Syros.

This culture flourished during the Early Cycladic II period (ca 2700-2300 BC) of the Cycladic civilization.

The trade relations of this culture spread far and wide from the Greek mainland to Crete and Asia Minor.

The Keros-Syros culture is well represented by many cemeteries on Amorgos, where this sculpture was found.

Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades island group, and during the Early Cycladic period, Amorgos had many inhabited centers and was the origin of many famous Cycladic figurines.