Burials in pithoi appear at the end of the Early Minoan period (about 2000 BC), almost at the same time as the introduction of burials in larnakes. Pithos burials become more popular in the Middle Minoan period (2000-1550 BC). This form of burial is widespread in western Minor Asia during the Early Bronze Age, while the earliest example in the Aegean occurs in Kephala on Kea dating from the Final Neolithic period (3650-3500 BC). Pithos burials were rarely used during the Early Bronze Age but they were fairly common on the Middle Bronze Age Greek mainland, particularly for burials of children and infants.