-
Around 2700 BC, during the Bronze Age and they flourished during this time. They built a powerful and long-lasting civilization based on a strong navy and trade throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The Minoans had their own written language which archeologists call "Linear A."
-
Knossos was built at the beginning of the Middle Minoan period, around 2000–1580 bc. It consisted of isolated structures built around a rectangular court. Knossos produced fine polychrome pottery on a black glazed ground.
-
The Minoan civilization began to weaken around 1450 BC probably from an earthquake or a natural disaster. The Mycenaeans took over the islands of the Minoans and adopted the Minoan culture. They adapted the writing of the Minoans to their own language, known as Linear B.
-
The palace was abandoned at some unknown time at the end of the late Bronze Age, c. 1380–1100 BC, for reasons which are not known.
-
The excavations at Knossos began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team. They worked there for 35 years. From the layering of Knossos, Evans developed an idea of the civilization that used it, which he called Minoan. They were named after their king called Minos.
