The earliest remains of human settlements date to the Middle Bronze Age (ca 2000 BC). They consist of pottery shards from Kastelli, the most important archaeological site so far identified. Patmos is seldom mentioned by ancient writers. Therefore very little can be conjectured about the earliest inhabitants. Around 1000 BC, the Patmians prefer to identify themselves as Dorians descending from the families of Argos, Sparta and Epidaurus, further mingling with people of Ionian ancestry. Judging from archaeological finds, Kastelli continued to play an important role on the island throughout the Ancient Greek period (ca 1000 BC-323 BC).