<P> Geometric art is a phase of Greek art, characterized largely by geometric motifs in vase painting, that flourished towards the end of the Greek Dark Ages, circa 900 BC--700 BC . Its center was in Athens, and from there the style spread among the trading cities of the Aegean . The Greek Dark Ages is 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 . </P> <P> Funerary vases not only depicted funerary scenes, but they also had a practical purposes, either holding the ashes or being used as grave markers . Relatives of the deceased conducted burial rituals that included three parts: the prothesis (laying out of the body), the ekphora (funeral procession), and the interment of the body or cremated remains of the body . </P>

What is the geometric period of greek art