In the Bronze Age (3300–1100 BC) period of history significant cultural hubs emerged in both the Cyclades islands and mainland Greece established a strong basis for the development of future civilizations with their unique styles of art and architecture. Subsequently the Minoan civilization thrived on the island of Crete recognized for its palaces. Between the 17th and 16th century B.C., the civilization flourished on the mainland marking a significant milestone with the discovery of the oldest known Greek inscriptions written in Linear B script. These inscriptions offer insights into various aspects of Mycenean society, such as governance structures and trade connections across regions, like the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas. Numerous deities and legendary figures from mythology are connected to this era marking the initial deciphered European governance that showcased early forms of democracy. The existence of Linear B has played a role in preserving the Greek language as one of the most documented languages for over 3,400 years. This has greatly contributed to our comprehension of various Indo-European languages such as Sanskrit.