The Minoan Civilization existed in the island of Crete from 3000 BC to cc 1450 BC, and was a Bronze Age early Greek culture. Arthur Evans was fascinated as a child by the Minotaur legend and when he became an adult he discovered a large palace which was most likely the Minos king Labyrinth.
The Minoans were good sailors and traders. The 1000 rooms of the Knossos palace revealed advanced art : frescoes, pottery, jewelry and more depicting dolphins, octopuses and trading activity with other cultures.
The Knossos palace
used for harvesting crops, for gatherings and religious activities and had temples and administrative sections. The Minoans enjoyed Bull Leaping , a sort of corrida named Taurokathapsia.
BULL LEAPING
Many girls were involved in the Bull Leaping. The reasons for this dangerous processions is unknown maybe religious, or accepting in the community or just for spectacle.
The Minoans had a nature goddess depicted with snakes in her hands. They were advanced for the time and they mastered writing in two forms: Linear A and hieroglyphs.
Their civilization experienced the Minoan Peace because they did not have too many internal conflicts and invasions and as a result. As a result, they did not have fortifications and little weaponry was discovered in Crete. Genetic studies showed they were similar to modern Europeans especially to Crete inhabitants from today.
The Minoan Civilization disappeared as a result of catastrophic event : the eruption of Thera (present-day Santorini) island volcano in 1550 BC, produced tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic ash and destroyed their crops, producing hardship ending in their demise. They could not live Crete and they vanished.
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