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Where did Archaeologists find evidence of the Minoan Civilization?
Sir Arthur Evans, in full Sir Arthur John Evans, (born July 8, 1851, Nash Mills, Hertfordshire, England—died July 11, 1941, Youlbury, near Oxford, Oxfordshire), British archaeologist who excavated the ruins of the ancient city of Knossos in Crete and uncovered evidence of a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization, which …
How do we know that the Minoan Civilization existed?
The civilization was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. The name “Minoan” derives from the mythical King Minos and was coined by Evans, who identified the site at Knossos with the labyrinth and the Minotaur.
What were 3 important features of Minoan culture?
Labyrinth-like palace complexes, vivid frescoes depicting scenes such as bull-leaping and processions, fine gold jewellery, elegant stone vases, and pottery with vibrant decorations of marine life are all particular features of Minoan Crete.
Why do scientists believe the Minoan Civilization fell?
Archaeologists have now enough evidence to believe that the reputed Minoan Civilization was severely damaged and affected by the eruption of Santorini Volcano, which destroyed their fleet.
Who is the first king of Minoan civilization?
King Minos of Knossos
Aegean civilizations …of Crete has been called Minoan, after the legendary King Minos of Knossos, which was the chief city……
What race were Minoans?
Analysis of DNA from ancient remains on the Greek island of Crete suggests the Minoans were indigenous Europeans, shedding new light on a debate over the provenance of this ancient culture. Scholars have variously argued the Bronze Age civilisation arrived from Africa, Anatolia or the Middle East.
What race are Minoans?
Minoan, Any member of a non-Indo-European people who flourished (c. 3000–c. 1100 bc) on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age. The sea was the basis of their economy and power.
What is the Minoan culture known for?
The Minoans are remembered today for their fabulous Palace and frescoes at Knossos, now partially restored. This administrative center/citadel may have been the largest and most beautiful of the late Bronze Age. They are also famous for their mysterious writing systems (some of which continue to defy linguists).
What killed the Minoans?
Q: What happened to the Minoans? Minoans were most probably wiped out by a massive volcano eruption and the earthquake that happened some years before it.
What ended Minoan civilization?
Volcanic explosion. Three and a half thousand years ago, the tiny Aegean island of Thera was devastated by one of the worst natural disasters since the Ice Age – a huge volcanic eruption. This cataclysm happened 100km from the island of Crete, the home of the thriving Minoan civilisation.
Why are the Minoans not considered Greek?
The Minoans are considered the first European civilization. They were in one sense the first “Greek” civilization. They were not a warrior culture like the Mycenaeans and later Greeks. The Minoans had a fleet to protect their trade ships from pirates, but probably not a military navy.
How did the Minoans civilization get wiped out?
Early in the 20th-century, experts brainstormed about what happened to the Minoans. They knew of the devastating volcano, and many conclude that it must have wiped the Minoans civilization away almost instantly. Then archaeologists found clay tablets that proved the Minoan civilization survived for 50 more years after that volcanic eruption.
How did the Minoans influence the Canaanites?
The Minoans were also connected to Egypt and the Canaanite civilization. The Minoan civilization declined due to natural catastrophe, but the Dynasty of Knossos was able to spread its influence over Crete until it was overrun by the Mycenaean Greeks.
Where did the Minoans of Knossos come from?
“Since Sir Arthur Evans exposed the Minoan civic centre of Knossos [in 1900], archaeologists have speculated on the origin of the founders of the civilization. Evans proposed a North African origin; Cycladic, Balkan, Anatolian and Middle Eastern origins have also been proposed.
What kind of chronology was used to study Minoan Crete?
Since this chronology posed several problems in studying the culture, professor N. Platon has developed a chronology based on the palaces’ destruction and reconstruction. He divided Minoan Crete into Prepalatial (2600-1900 BC), Protopalatial (1900-1700 BC), Neopalatial (1700-1400 BC), and Postpalatial (1400-1150 BC).