Minoan civilization

Minoan sites on Crete

Copy of a Minoan ship

The Minoan civilization was a civilization on Crete called after Minos. It began in the Bronze Age between 3000 and 2700 BC. It lasted until about 1450 BC. The Minoan civilization is famous for its sea trading and well-planned cities. The Minoans had an agricultural system, which relied mainly on olives and grapes. Their religion worshipped mostly goddesses. Their civilization was later replaced by the Mycenaean culture.

Architecture

Cretans built palaces during their architecture era, from 2000 BC to 1450 BC. A non-royal palace had many small rooms with cooler places to sit, because Crete got very hot in the summer. Palaces were used for many things: government centers, storerooms, stores, and administrative offices. Most palaces were very big. The Cretans might have gotten the money to create their palaces from working for the Egyptians.

The royal palace was very different. Everyone had toilets, baths, and running water. The ones for the king and queen were very fancy, as was their palace was fancy.

The architecture era was ended by a great fire.

Further reading

• http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/history/minoans.htm Archived 2010-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
• http://photo.pds.org:5005/student/article?id=ar028740

Minoan Civilization Media

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  Bull-Leaping Fresco found at Knossos

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  An Early Minoan bird-shaped vessel.

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  The western façade of the Palace at Knossos. Like other palaces, it was built during the Middle Minoan era but continually renovated throughout its existence.

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  A Marine Style vase from c. 1500 BC found in Palaikastro, and commonly known as the Octopus Vase; typical of the Late Minoan IB period that followed the eruption of Thera. It is currently in the Heraklion Museum.

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  The Palace of Knossos, the largest Minoan palace

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  Detail of Minoan painting, from Akrotiri, the Ship Procession

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  Minoan copper ingot

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  The Spring Fresco from Akrotiri, Thera, dated to c. 16th century BC. It is currently in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece.

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  Dagger with gold hilt and bronze blade, MM, AMH

• Minoan civilization -Academic Kids