 The Greek Dark Ages are also called the Geometric period in reference to this characteristic pottery style, although the historical period is much longer than the art-historical period, being circa 1100 – 800 BC.The vases had various uses or purposes within Greek society, including, but not limited to, funerary vases and symposium vases.Funerary vases not only depicted funerary scenes, but they also had practical purposes, either holding the ashes or being used as grave markers.