Minoan Civilization

Definition

The Minoan civilization flourished in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000 - c. 1450 BCE) on the island of Crete located in the eastern Mediterranean. With their unique art and architecture, and the spread of their ideas through contact with other cultures across the Aegean, the Minoans made a significant contribution to the development of Western European civilization.

More about: Minoan Civilization

Timeline

  • 3000 BCE
    Stone tombs on Crete.
  • 2000 BCE - 1400 BCE
    Phaistos' greatest cultural height.
  • 2000 BCE - 1700 BCE
    First Minoan palace at Phaistos.
  • c. 2000 BCE
    Pottery wheel introduced to Minoan civilization on Crete.
  • c. 2000 BCE - c. 1650 BCE
    Cretan Hieroglyphic script is in use.
  • 2000 BCE - 1450 BCE
    Minoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.
  • 1900 BCE - 1500 BCE
    Sphinxes are represented in Minoan art in pottery, plaques and fabrics.
  • c. 1900 BCE - c. 1675 BCE
    First Minoan palace at Malia.
  • 1900 BCE
    First Minoan palace at Knossos.
  • c. 1850 BCE - c. 1450 BCE
    The Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.
  • 1700 BCE
    Second Palace of Knossos on Crete.
  • 1700 BCE - 1400 BCE
    The culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by Minoan Crete.
  • 1675 BCE - 1450 BCE
    Second Minoan palace at Malia.
  • 1650 BCE - 1550 BCE
    Knossos survives Thera eruption.
  • c. 1600 BCE
    Phaistos disk manufactured.
  • c. 1600 BCE
    Rhodes has significant contact with Minoan Crete.
  • 1500 BCE - 1450 BCE
    The 'Harvester Vase' of Minoan origin depicts a sistrum player.
  • c. 1450 BCE
    Earthquake and fire ends the Minoan period at Malia.
  • c. 1450 BCE
    Destruction of Minoan palace at Zakros.
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