The Greek Dark Ages refers to a period in ancient Greece from around 1100 to 800 BCE, following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization. This era is characterized by a decline in population, loss of writing, and reduced trade. Many cities were abandoned, and the complex social structures of the Mycenaean period gave way to smaller, more isolated communities. During the Dark Ages, the Greeks relied on oral traditions to pass down stories and knowledge. This period eventually led to the emergence of the Archaic period, where new forms of writing, such as the Greek alphabet, were developed, paving the way for the flourishing of Greek culture and civilization.