Problems in Greek Prehistory

The earliest alphabetic writings in the Greek language date to the eighth century B.C.E. But the culture we encounter in these texts is clearly the product of recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, and ongoing interaction with other cultures of this region. It is also a culture in the process of becoming Greek: only during the historical period do speakers of Greek begin to see themselves as sharing an identity. What, then, is “Greek Prehistory”—does it make sense to speak of Greeks in prehistory at all?