What was found at Knossos? Archaeological survey of the upper strata of the Neolithic site revealed artifacts such as gold jewelry, glazed pottery, and bronze. A prepalace structure from 3000 b.c. was also identified, thus making the Early Minoan
Minoan civilization
The Minoan civilization was a Bronze Age Aegean civilization on the island of Crete and other Aegean Islands, flourishing from c. 2700 to c. 1450 BC until a late period of decline, finally ending around 1100 BC. It represents the first advanced civilization in Europe, leaving behind massive buil…
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a time period characterized by the use of bronze, proto-writing, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second principal period of the three-age Stone-Bronze-Iron system, as proposed in modern times by Christian Jürgensen Thomsen, for classifying …
What was found at the palace of Knossos?
Palace of Knossos - the ruins of the palace were discovered in 1878 by the Cretan Minos Kalokairinos who began excavations. Beautiful frescoes were discovered on the site, showing us the nature of the society of the earliest Cretans. Frescos of Knossos.
What is Knossos in ancient Greece?
The archaeological site, Knossos, refers either to the palace complex or, to that complex and several houses of similar antiquity nearby, which were inadvertently excavated along with the palace. To the south across the Vlychia is the Caravanserai. Further to the south are Minoan houses.
What are the most important buildings at Knossos?
Other important buildings at Knossos include the 14th century BC Royal Villa with its pillar crypt, the Little Palace, believed to date back to the 17th century BC, the ornately decorated House of Frescos and the Villa of Dionysos, a 2nd century BC house from the Roman period.
What happened to the Minoans at Knossos?
The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace was abandoned at some unknown time at the end of the Late Bronze Age, c. 1380–1100 BC; [5] the reason is unknown, but one of the many disasters that befell the palace is generally put forward.
What is Knossos famous for?
Apart from its construction and architecture, the Minoan Palace of Knossos is most famous for its connection to Greek mythology. Namely, the tale of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur and the one of Daedalus and Icarus.
What did Arthur Evans find at Knossos?
He began his excavations at Knossos in 1899 when he took over the site which was previously being excavated by Minos Kalikairinos. He found evidence of an early Bronze Age civilization which predates the recently discovered Mycenaean settlements.
What creature was hidden at the Palace of Knossos?
The role of the Minotaur in the Greek Mythology. This hybrid of human and bull – generally depicted as a powerful man's body with the head of a bull – was said to dwell deep within a labyrinth in the Minoan Palace of Knossos. This labyrinth was constructed to hide him. He was a voracious creature, much feared.
What was revealed by the frescoes found at Knossos?
Many frescos showed scenes from everyday life. Examples from Knossos have helped in the recreation of the palace's architecture as well as revealing details of Minoan sporting contests and scenes from court life. Details of dress, hairstyles and the ideal Minoan physique are also preserved in these wall paintings.
Who first discovered Knossos?
KalokairinosKalokairinos was the first to excavate Knossos more than two decades before Evans, and the first to discover its palace in a brief and poorly documented campaign in 1878.
What happened to Knossos?
Knossos appears to have been destroyed sometime before 1300 B.C., apparently by fire. The Mycenaeans would see their civilization collapse around 1200 B.C. as a series of population migrations, possibly spurred by environmental problems, swept across Europe and the Near East.
Is there a Labyrinth at Knossos?
The labyrinth is popularly held to have been in the Palace of Knossos, built around 1950 BCE, the ruins of which stand near the city of Heraklion on the north coast of Crete.
Is the Labyrinth in Knossos?
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth (Greek: Λαβύρινθος, Labýrinthos) was an elaborate, confusing structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos.
What does the Minotaur smell like?
Half man half bull, this mythical creature is called a Minotaur! Before you see the Minotaur you can smell him. The stench of rotten flesh wafts from his pores and makes his victims weak from nausea. Alarmingly, he stands at a staggering two metres tall, in addition his entire body is covered in short, shaggy fur.
What did the discovery of Knossos reveal about the Minoans?
The discovery at Knossos revealed that the Minoans built the palace at Knossos and that they were the first civilization to develop in the Aegean region. the discovery also revealed that trade was an important economic activity for the Minoans.
How was Knossos destroyed?
Despite speculation that Knossos was destroyed by the volcanic eruption on Santorini, it is generally accepted that the cause was human violence following an invasion of Crete by Greeks from the Argolid, most probably Mycenaean.
What unique feature is part of the Palace of Knossos that still functions today?
Protopalatial or Old Palace Knossos The two most distinctive features of this earliest version of Knossos are the long, monumental, cut ashlar stone of the palace's west façade and the central court, now squared off in the corners and paved. This court functioned as a grand performance space.
What did archaeologists excavate in the capital of Knossos?
Excavations were begun at Knossos under Sir Arthur Evans in 1900 and revealed a palace and surrounding buildings that were the centre of a sophisticated Bronze Age culture that dominated the Aegean between about 1600 and 1400 bc.
Who discovered Knossos in Crete?
Minos KalokairinosThe site of Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851–1941) and his team, and continued for 35 years.
What was Schliemann's mistake to discover ancient Troy?
Not the actual treasure of Priam They were rather found to come from an unknown high culture, which is around 1,250 years older than Troy. Even in Mycenae, where Schliemann excavated from 1874 to 1876, the German adventurer was mistaken: The gold mask which he dug up did not belong to the Mycenaean King Agamemnon.
Where did Evans go to look for artifacts from the Minoans?
Sir Arthur Evans marveled the world with his extraordinary discoveries at Knossos that shaped not only our conception of the prehistoric culture known as Minoan on the island of Crete but the very origins of European society.
Where did Knossos come from?
The coins came from the Roman settlement of Colonia Julia Nobilis Cnossus, a Roman colony placed just to the north of, and politically including, Kephala. The Romans believed they were the first to colonize Knossos.
What were the main resources of Knossos?
The prosperity of Knossos was primarily based upon the development of native Cretan resources such as oil, wine, and wool. Another factor was the expansion of trade. Herodotus wrote that Minos, the legendary king of Knossos, established a thalassocracy (sea empire). Thucydides accepted the tradition and added that Minos cleared the sea of pirates, increased the flow of trade and colonised many Aegean islands. Archaeological evidence supports the tradition because Minoan pottery is widespread, having been found in Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Sicily, and mainland Greece. There seem to have been strong Minoan connections with Rhodes, Miletus, and Samos. Cretan influence may be seen in the earliest scripts found in Cyprus. The main market for Cretan wares was the Cyclades where there was a demand for pottery, especially the stone vases. It is not known whether the islands were subject to Crete or just trading partners, but there certainly was strong Cretan influence.
What was the most important city in Crete?
After the fall of the Minoans, Knossus was repopulated approximately 1000 BC and it remained one of the most important centers of Crete. The city had two ports: Amnisos and Heraklion. According to the ancient geographer Strabo the Knossians colonized the city of Brundisium in Italy. In 343 BC, Knossos was allied with Philip II of Macedon. The city employed a Phocian mercenary named Phalaikos against their enemy, the city of Lyttus. The Lyttians appealed to the Spartans who sent their king Archidamus III against the Knossians. In Hellenistic times Knossos came under Egyptian influence, but despite considerable military efforts during the Chremonidean War (267–261 BC), the Ptolemies were not able to unify the warring city states. In the third century BC Knossos expanded its power to dominate almost the entire island, but during the Lyttian War in 220 BC it was checked by a coalition led by the Polyrrhenians and the Macedonian king Philip V.
What is the goddess image in Knossos?
Goddess image found at Knossos (note the tufts on the tails) Among the items found in Knossos is a Minoan depiction of a goddess flanked by two lionesses that shows a goddess who appears in many other images.
What is Knossos pottery?
Pottery at Knossos is prolific, heavily-decorated and uniquely-styled by period. It is used as a layer diagnostic. Comparing it to similar pottery elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean, Evans established a wider chronology, which, on that account, is difficult to question successfully. On the negative side, careful records of the locations of some objects were not always kept, due to the very size of the project and the difficulties under which the archaeologists and workmen had to labor.
What is the name of the creature that lived in a labyrinth?
This also applies to the mainland, because both tradition and archaeology indicate strong links between Crete and Athens. The main legend here is the Minotaur story wherein Athens was subject to Knossos and paying tribute. The legend concerns a creature living in a labyrinth who was half-man and half-bull. Bulls are frequently featured on pottery and frescoes found at Knossos, where the intricate layout of the palace might suggest a labyrinth. One of the most common cult-symbols, often seen on palace walls, is the double-headed axe called the labrys, which is a Carian word for that type of tool or weapon.
Where were the first Cretan palaces built?
It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after c. 2000 BC, in the early part of the Middle Minoan period, at Knossos and other sites including Mallia, Phaestos and Zakro. These palaces, which were to set the pattern of organisation in Crete and Greece through the second millennium, were a sharp break from the Neolithic village system that had prevailed thus far. The building of the palaces implies greater wealth and a concentration of authority, both political and religious. It is suggested that they followed eastern models such as those at Ugarit on the Syrian coast and Mari on the upper Euphrates.
Who discovered Knossos?
Excavated and vastly reconstructed in the 19th century by archaeologist Arthur Evans, Knossos has revealed a wealth of ancient treasures, not least of which are its many fascinating ruins available to see today.
Where is Knossos located?
Knossos or ‘ko-no-so’ was an important ancient site found on the outskirts of the modern city of Heraklion in Crete. It is believed that Knossos was first established a place of settlement in Neolithic times in around 7000 BC and then continuously inhabited until the Ancient Roman period.
What is the significance of Knossos Palace?
Believed to date back to 2000 to 1350 BC, Knossos Palace is thought to have been the home of King Minos, an iconic monarch of the island of Crete who legend says was the son of the deities Europa and Zeus. The Palace of Knossos contains a myriad of rooms, including banqueting halls, religious shrines and even a throne room, all centred on a courtyard.
What is the best thing about Knossos?
However, it’s best to take a guidebook, a map or even a guide if you want a better idea of the site as a whole, particularly as it is indeed a labyrinth.
When was Knossos occupied by the Romans?
Later populated by the Mycenaeans, Knossos experienced a resurgence in the Hellenistic period and was occupied by the Romans in 67 BC. In addition to being a prosperous city, Knossos was also been the setting for many mythical stories, including those of the Minotaur, Ikaros and Daidalos.
Where to take bus 2 to Heraklion?
Take bus 2 which will be marked ‘Knossos’ from Plateia Eleftherias Square bus stop at the Astoria Hotel in downtown Heraklion. The buses come every 20 minutes or so and the trip takes about 20 minutes.
What is the ancient city of Knossos?
Greek myth and epic poetry attested to the existence of an ancient city called Knossos on Crete. Later inhabitants of the region often found artifacts of previous civilizations when they tilled their fields. Originally attracted by the discovery of stones bearing an unknown script, British linguist and archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941) first visited Crete in 1894 hoping to decipher the script and link the Cretan tablets with similar artifacts of the recently discovered Mycenaean civilization in Greece.
What is the Neolithic strata at Knossos?
Archaeological survey of the upper strata of the Neolithic site revealed arti facts such as gold jewelry, glazed pottery, and bronze. A prepalace structure from 3000 b.c. was also identified, thus making the Early Minoan Period contemporary with the emergence of the Early Bronze Age in the Aegean.
How did Evans develop the Minoan civilization?
Evans developed a chronology for the site using a complex pottery sequence, which he established by associating types of pot shards, or small fragments of pottery, with Egyptian or Mycenaean trade goods and other artifacts that had been more concretely dated. Through this work, Evans realized that the Minoan civilization had existed within the chronological context of the larger Aegean civilization. He continued to dig below the first palace structure in the hope of finding some proof of earlier inhabitation on the site.
Why did Evans dig below the first palace structure?
He continued to dig below the first palace structure in the hope of finding some proof of earlier inhabitation on the site.
What did Evans discover?
Evans accordingly named the palace, Knossos, after that of Minos. As the ongoing excavations yielded evidence of distinct pottery, artwork, and architecture, Evans realized that he had indeed discovered a civilization distinct from that of the recently discovered Mycenae. This Cretan civilization became known as the Minoan.
How big was the Minoan palace?
The intricate, multistoried palace he unearthed spanned an area of 22,000 square miles (56,980 sq km). Each section had a specific use.
When was the Great Palace of Minos destroyed?
Archaeological evidence also suggests that this "Great Palace of Minos," as Evans called it, was destroyed by fire in 1400 b.c.. Around the same time, the political center of Aegean civilization shifted to Mycenae.
Where are Knossos' artifacts?
9. Knossos’ artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
When was Knossos first excavated?
The 1st Excavation at Knossos by Minos Summer. The first major excavation was carried out in 1878 by the wealthy art lover from Heraklion Minos Kalokairinos, while Crete was still under Turkish occupation. Minos Kalokairinos excavated part of the western warehouses and brought to light many large 'pithos'.
What is the Palace of Knossos famous for?
Ancient ruins of Knossos Palace - credits: Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock.com
Who built the Palace of Knossos?
Knossos Palace north entrance - credits: Constantinos Iliopoulos/Shutterstock.com
How to get to Knossos from Heraklion?
It is very easy to get to Knossos from Heraklion. It’s a 15-minute car drive, or you can take a bus from the main bus station at the Heraklion port. Simply take bus number 2 and stay on it until it reaches its final stop: Knossos.
What to do in Knossos?
Furthermore, you’ll hear about untold stories of ancient Crete and you will marvel at the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Opt for From Heraklion: Knossos Palace and Archaeological Museum Tour Including Transportation for a comprehensive Knossos experience. Alternatively, you can combine Crete’s history and gastronomy with Knossos Delights: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Food Tour with transportation. No matter which one you choose to go for, you won’t be disappointed!
What is the Knossos Palace associated with?
As we have already mentioned, the Knossos Palace has been associated with two of the most well-known tales of Greek Mythology. One of them is the tale of the Labirynth and the Minotaur. According to mythology, Minos was the child of the Phoenician princess of Europe, who was kidnapped by Zeus in the form of a bull.
What happened to the Palace of Knossos?
Researchers do know that the palace suffered from several disasters throughout its history. The palace likely suffered disruption around 1600 B.C ., when the eruption of a volcano on Thera caused a tsunami that hit parts of Crete. The palace was hit with another catastrophe (of some form) around 1450 B.C., when sites across Crete were destroyed and a people who modern-day scholars call the "Mycenaeans" occupied Knossos. The final destruction of the palace probably took place sometime before 1300 B.C.
Where is the Palace of Knossos?
The Palace of Knossos (Knosós) is near the modern-day city of Heraklion (Irákleion) on the island of Crete. (Image credit: CIA World Factbook) The actual name of the people who lived in the palace is unknown. The Minoan writing system is undeciphered and the name "Minoans" comes from Arthur Evans, who believed that he had found the palace ...
What coincided with the development of the palace?
The development of the palace coincided with the appearance of the still undeciphered Minoan writing system.
What is the Queen's Megaron?
Another key feature in the residential quarters is an area that Evans called the "queen's megaron." It features a reconstructed fresco depicting blue dolphins swimming above a doorway. McEnroe notes that it has two light wells along with partitions. Its features include a possible bath, storage areas and toilet. "My guess is that it served as a bedroom," he writes. While there may have been some disruption at Knossos associated with the eruption of Thera around 1600 B.C., an eruption that caused a tsunami that hit parts of Crete, it did not bring about the end of the palace — that occurred a few centuries later.
What happened in 1450 B.C.?
Around 1450 B.C., a cataclysm hit Crete. Fitton notes that all the palaces on the island, with the exception of Knossos, were destroyed. What exactly happened is a matter of debate. One idea is that a series of natural calamities, such as earthquakes, hit the island.
When did Knossos collapse?
Knossos appears to have been destroyed sometime before 1300 B.C., apparently by fire. The Mycenaeans would see their civilization collapse around 1200 B.C. as a series of population migrations, possibly spurred by environmental problems, swept across Europe and the Near East.
Where did the Minoan writing system come from?
The Minoan writing system is undeciphered and the name "Minoans" comes from Arthur Evans, who believed that he had found the palace of "King Minos," a mythical Cretan king who supposedly constructed a great labyrinth on Crete. Today, archaeologists know that King Minos likely did not build this palace.
When was the Palace of Knossos discovered?
Palace of Knossos - the ruins of the palace were discovered in 1878 by the Cretan Minos Kalokairinos who began excavations. Beautiful frescoes were discovered on the site, showing us the nature of the society of the earliest Cretans. Frescos of Knossos. Knossos History. Tips for Visiting Knossos.
Where is the Palace of Knossos?
The Palace of Knossos is only 5 km from the town of Heraklion, so any hotel in Heraklion is handy to the site, and to the Archaeological Museum, which is in the centre of town.
What is the most famous fresco of the Minoans?
Frescoes of Knossos. Palace of Knossos - the frescos of the Minoans intrigue our senses, below you will see the Bull Leaping Fresco which is one of the most famous of all. It brings into question the nature of the relationship of the earliest inhabitants with the bull.
What is the griffin in Knossos?
In the throne room of Knossos you will see the striking Griffin Fresco , (above) with stunning red colours. There are two griffins facing the throne, these mythical creatures had the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
How far is the Palace of Knossos from the airport?
Take a hire car, taxi or bus to the Palace of Knossos as it is only 7 km from the airport. Your ticket to Knossos also includes entry to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which is located in the centre of town.
Where is the Minoan Lady Fresco?
This fresco is thought to represent the Blue Rock Thrush which is a stunning bird, still present in Crete. Fresco of the Partridges. The Fresco of the Lilies was found at Amnisos, the port of Knossos. This fresco is dated from 1570-1470 BC.
Who excavated the Minoan island?
The British archaeologist that excavated the site was an interesting character named Arthur Evans, see more about him here; a full biography which shows his life's work in uncovering the Minoan history of the island. He controversially reconstructed many features of the site according to his own imagination.
Overview
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city.
Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete. The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and cultu…
Spelling
The name Knossos was formerly Latinized as Cnossus or Cnossos and occasionally Knossus, Gnossus, or Gnossos but is now almost always written Knossos.
Neolithic period
The site of Knossos has had a very long history of human habitation beginning with the founding of the first Neolithic settlement (c. 7000 BCE). Neolithic remains are prolific in Crete. They are found in caves, rock shelters, houses, and settlements. Knossos has a thick Neolithic layer indicating the site was a sequence of settlements before the Palace Period. The earliest was placed on …
Minoan period
It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after c. 2000 BC, in the early part of the Middle Minoan period, at Knossos and other sites including Mallia, Phaestos and Zakro. These palaces, which were to set the pattern of organisation in Crete and Greece through the second millennium, were a sharp break from the Neolithic village system that had prevailed thus far. The building of the palaces implies greater wealth and a concentration of authority, both political an…
Legends
In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. Daedalus also built a dancing floor for Queen Ariadne. The name "Knossos" was subsequently adopted by Arthur Evans.
Laws and government
Rhadamanthus was the mythological lawgiver of Crete. Cleinias of Crete attributes to him the tradition of Cretan gymnasia and common meals in Book I of Plato's Laws, and describes the logic of the custom as enabling a constant state of war readiness.
Hellenistic and Roman period
Fieldwork in 2015 revealed that during the early Iron Age, Knossos was rich in imports and was nearly three times larger than indicated by earlier excavations. Whilst archaeologists had previously believed that the city had declined in the wake of a socio-political collapse around 1,200 BC, the work found instead, that the city had prospered, with its final abandonment coming later.
Ecclesiastical history
In 325, Knossos became a diocese, suffragan of the metropolitan see of Gortyna. In Ottoman Crete, the see of Knossos was in Agios Myron, 14 km to the southwest. The bishops of Gortyn continued to call themselves bishops of Knossos until the nineteenth century. The diocese was abolished in 1831.