Aegean civilization, the general term for the prehistoric
civilization, previously called "Mycenaean" because its existence was first brought to popular notice by
Heinrich Schliemann's excavations at
Mycenae in
1876. Subsequent discoveries, however, have made it clear that Mycenae was not its chief centre in its earlier stages, or, perhaps, at any period; and, accordingly, it is more usual now to adopt a wider geographical title.
This article was originally based on content from the 1911 Encyclopędia Britannica. Update as needed.