A small, sunny plain with a steep rock in its center, a broad platform at its top, and precious sources of drinking water at its foothills. The people of prehistoric times could not ignore such a favorable location. Indeed, excavations at the top and slopes of the Acropolis have revealed traces of habitation dating back to the Late Neolithic period (circa 3500-3200 B.C.).

This habitation continued during the following periods, the Early Chalcolithic (3200/3000-2200/2000 B.C.) and the Middle Chalcolithic (2200/2000-1600 B.C.). In the second millennium B.C., the population of Attica increased. A new tribe, the Ionians, came from the north and merged with the indigenous population, which tradition considers to be the Pelasgians.

From around the middle of the same millennium, a brilliant prehistoric cultural development began to thrive in mainland Greece, the Mycenaean civilization, named after its most important center, the city of Mycenae. During the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 B.C.), the inhabitants of the Acropolis lived in groups on the slopes and at the top of the rock. They worshipped their ancient goddess, Athena, here, at the top of the Acropolis hill, where the palace of the local king was also located.

(Excerpt from a text by the publisher)