Minoan civilization named after King Minos emerged on Crete (Greece) around 3100 BC. Sir Arthur Evans discovered and excavated Knossos palace on Crete (Greece) and named the civilization Minoans after King Minos Crete (Greece) was first inhabited by Neolithic cultures around 6000-7000 BC, evolving into recognizable Minoan culture around 3100 BC Minoan civilization spanned four phases: Pre-Palatial (3100-1900 BC), Proto-Palatial/Old Palace (1900-1700 BC), Neopalatial/New Palace (1700-1450 BC), Post-Palatial (1450-1100 BC)
Sir Arthur Evans named the Minoan civilization after King Minos after excavating Knossos palace on Crete. The culture emerged around 3100 BC and flourished until roughly 1100 BC. Minoan political structure remains debated among scholars, with some arguing the culture was largely egalitarian without traditional monarchs. Their writing system Linear A remains undeciphered. Minoans even appeared on Egyptian temple walls.
Key Facts
- Sir Arthur Evans discovered and excavated Knossos palace on Crete (Greece) and named the civilization Minoans after King Minos
- Crete (Greece) was first inhabited by Neolithic cultures around 6000-7000 BC, evolving into recognizable Minoan culture around 3100 BC
- Minoan civilization spanned four phases: Pre-Palatial (3100-1900 BC), Proto-Palatial/Old Palace (1900-1700 BC), Neopalatial/New Palace (1700-1450 BC), Post-Palatial (1450-1100 BC)
- Minoans left no deciphered writing system (Linear A remains unread), and archaeologists have found no evidence of kings or rulers
- Minoans appeared on Egyptian temple walls during sacred processions and international festivals
Related site: Crete (Greece) — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Bronze Age Atlantis: The Buried City of Akrotiri by Luke Caverns