Neolithic period: 6800-3200 BC, from first settlements to metal working period. Inhabitants coming from Asia minor settled in Crete with seeds and animals and…
In the pre-palatial period (3200-2000 BC), new groups of settlers bring metal working knowledge to Crete. The first Minoan civilization is born and social…
Clay figurines, 2600-1900 BC.
In the old palatial period (2000-1700 BC) the social classes further differientiate and the ruling class starts building palaces. All palaces in Crete are…
Banquet vessel, Phaestos, 1800-1700 BC.
Banquet vessel, Phaestos, 1800-1700 BC.
Clay flask with marine decoration, including an octopus, 1500-1450 BC.
Clay jugs, ca. 1500 BC.
In the new palatial period (1700-1450 BC), the Minoan civilization peaks; the Minoans build larger palaces and trade goods with people outside Crete. They…
The Phaestos disk is a 15cm-diameter disk of clay with hieroglyphs incised on both sides, spiralling from the rim to the center of the disk. The script has not…
The other side of the disk of Phaestos.
Libation vase or rython, made of serpentine, bullhead-shaped, 1600-1500 BC.
The "chess board", a board for an unknown game, found in Knossos, wooden base, inlays of ivory, rock crystal, glass paste, covered with gold and silver leaf,…
The prince of lillies, a relief fresco part of a larger composition at the south entrance of the Knossos palace, 1600-1500 BC.
Gold votive double axes with incised decoration. The double axe is a symbol of the Minoan people found in many places carved in the stone in Knossos. 1700-1600…
Snake goddess (or priestess), 1600 BC.
The snakes are symbols of domination over nature.
Libation vase (rython) of limestone shaped as a lioness head, 1600-1500 BC.
Ivory figurine of a bull leaper, Knossos, 1600-1500 BC.
After the destruction of the palaces in 1450, a new dynasty rules Knossos, bringing the Greek language and the Mycenaean linear B script to Crete.
La…
Inhabitants coming from Asia minor settled in Crete with seeds and animals and…