Head of Athena , around 500 BC.			What emerges from the Dark Ages are sculptures that can definitely be identified with the Greek peoples, even though most influences can be traced to Egypt and Mesopotamia. During this time however we begin to see an emerging Greek identity. This new identity rapidly advances over 400 years into a defined visual language concentrated on the expression of natural perfection in the human form.
Kouros and Kore figures A Kore figure displaying fashion from 520 BC.	The Greeks begin almost at once in this new era to create freestanding unsupported statues. The most important developments began with the Kouros and Kore. Kouros is Greek for "standing Youth", or young man. Kore means "maiden". These statues are numerous throughout the Archaic era. The maiden is always clothed and the youth is always naked. The Kore figure was more varied but they do not evolve as fast as the Kouros, probably due to the basic task of portraying the local changes in the way women were dressed. The heavy cloth does however form a distinct separate layer over the body and eventually leads to more natural expressions. We can trace the rigid geometry and angular style to paintings done on pottery at this time. It is interesting to note that these ancient sculptures were almost always painted this would add an element of realism that unfortunately we cannot experience today.
These are famous statues that illustrate the developing techniques and skills of the later archaic sculptors. On the left is the "Calf Bearer" on the right a more developed and experienced "kouros" figure showing a great deal of ancient Egyptian influence.	Out of these statues a very large influence from Egyptian standing sculpture can be found. This style was probably brought back from the Greek colonists and traders, but at once the Greeks begin to develop originality and traits all their own. One of the most notable of these traits is the "archaic smile" plus, a developing interest in natural looking drapery.
A perfect example of the "Archaic Smile" a very famous statue called "The Rampin Horseman"
A triangular architectural "pediment" with decorations.

Out of the Archaic period we also begin to see a major emphasis on decorative architectural sculpture. The most important of these sculptures are done in the pediments and facades of temples. These start out being high relief sculptures carved into the stone deeply in order to bring them forth from the background. They gradually began putting relief sculptures into other areas of the new monumental buildings. By the end of the Archaic period we find balanced designs of the human form in action. High relief gives way to separate standing statues in architectural decoration. The major theme of the statues of this time are gods and mortals in battle, they loom impressively over the entrances in proportions close to life-size.

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