The Prehistory of Greece: c 10,000 - c 1550 BC
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Minoan Civilisation
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There appears to have been an influx of immigrants to Crete around 2300 BC probably from Libya; they were assimilated into the Cretan culture which has been called "Minoan" after the legendary king of Crete, Minos. It is, however, probably a misleading term since the period is so extensive. The Early Minoan period is subdivided into three, I, II and III. However, the Early Minoan I was probably very similar to the Late Neolithic and it is not know for certain that any copper tools were used at this time. However, vase painting exhibits new developments and stone was also used for making figurines; house-building becomes more ambitious; also sites near the sea were occupied. Early Minoan II and III lasted from c 2300 to c 1950 BC. There was trade with Egypt, with imports from there of faience (blue paste) and ivory. Gold was used for jewelry and vases cut in local marble and other stones. At Vasiliki in eastern Crete a large L-shaped house has been excavated. Society appears to be becoming stratified. Copper is more common, though not alloyed very often with tin. Rooms were painted with frescos. Pottery was decorated with abstract forms, but there was also some experimentation - for example, a pot fashioned in the likeness of a bird. Around 2000 BC there was an "urban revolution" to use the terminology of Childe. Knosós became the political centre of Crete together with its port at Amnisos. Other towns were situated at Mallia (east) and Phaistós (south coast). Each town had a palace. Houses were densely packed. Large rooms do not appear to have existed, but the buildings were probably two storey and the larger rooms may have been found on the upper storey.
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Contents of
The Prehistory of Greece: c 10,000 - c 1550 BC
1 The Neolithic Age in Greece
2 The Early Helladic Period
3 Troy I
4 Migrations into Greece c. 2500 BC
5 Minoan Civilisation
6 The Greek migration
7 Megaron
8 Middle Helladic Age
9 The Aegean Bronze Age: The Minoan Civilisation: c. 2000 - 1550 BC
10 The golden age of Minoan Crete
11 Volcanic eruption on Thera c. 1600 BC
12 Crete and Mycenae
13 The amber route
14 The Religion of Minoyan Crete
15 The Linear B Tablets of Knosos
16 Relations between the mainland and Crete
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