by John Greece

Created on: July 05, 2010

The Minoan civilization is the prehistoric culture of Crete and the civilization that developed both in ancient mainland of Greece and the Aegean islands. Historically positioned between the end of the Cycladic and the beginning of the Mycenaean civilization. More specifically, first appeared around 3.400 BC and ended in 1.200 BC. The name of Minoan came from the mythical king Minos and was given by Sir Arthur Evans, the archaeologist who excavated the palace at Knossos. Excavations completed in 1935.

Geographically, Crete is located in the center of the eastern Mediterranean. The north side of the island leads to the Aegean islands and the mainland of Greece. The eastern side of the island leads to the coast of Asia Minor and the Middle East, while the south side of the island leads to the northeastern Africa. The west side of the island leads to southwestern Europe. Due to its advantageous location, Crete had strategic advantage. Τhe inhabitants had contact with the outside world from all sides of the island and their activities completed more easily.

It is worth noting that the history of the island of Crete begins in 7.000 BC during the Neolithic period, and the first inhabitants came from Asia Minor and North Africa. The Minoan civilization is divided into two periods. The pre-palatial and the palatial period. The first lasted until 2.000 BC and the second untill 1.200 BC.

In the pre-palatial period, there is the habitation of Knossos from people of the southwest Middle East. Thousands years later, Knossos grew in population by a new wave of settlers and the land got bigger dimensions. The appearance of new pottery art gives hints for a wave of immigrants who may come from the Aegean islands. The contacts with the mainland of Greece and the Cyclades are dense.

Then followed the most important period of Minoan civilization, the palatial period. It is the period where the first buildings listed as 'palaces' was built on the archaeological sites of Knossos, Malia and Phaistos. Architecturally, the palace is a monumental construction of several acres with yard and advanced building techniques. Main characteristic is the tall standing stone pillars.

The palaces of the Minoan civilization distinguished for its economic and social innovations. For example, the residents had the possibility to accumulated the agricultural surplus in construction of large stores of food so that it can be used in hard times and possibly in celebrations.

It is the period in which there are two types of scripts. The Cretan hieroglyphic and the Linear which separated into two plates. The Linear A and the Linear B which are found mainly in Phaistos. In Phaistos also used the clay seals. Also developed the craft production mainly with the use of raw materials such as copper, tin, and ivory. The contacts with mainland of Greece and the Cyclades are more pronounced. The capacity and number of palaces increased. Demonstrating the increase of the population and the total land controlled by Knossos, Phaistos and Malia probably cover an area over 1,000 square kilometers.

In our days, many palaces are saved and become points of visit for every traveller. In the city of Heraklion operates Archaeological Museum which housed many archaeological finds of the season.

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