From Wiki - "The archaic period in Greece (750 BC – 480 BC) is a period of Ancient Greek history. The term originated in the 18th century and has been standard since. This term arose from the study of Greek art." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaic_Greece
Thanks. I didn't know this either, so it was good to look it up.
I don't like to teach these arbitrary "periods" of history since they vary with different authors.
Another site calls the archaic period (c.660–480 B.C.) http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0858474.html
And this site says it was 800 to 500 BC http://wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/ARCHAIC.HTM
The new textbook I use to teach my college World Civ. courses does not mention an "Archaic Period" at all.