SURVEY
The Palaces
Social Structure
The Economy
Religion, Death and Burial
Culture and Everyday Life
100
This sea borders Crete to the north, serving as a major route for ancient trade.
What is the Aegean Sea?
100
This palace, located near Heraklion, is the largest and most famous Minoan archaeological site, known for its elaborate frescoes and intricate architecture.
What is Knossos?
100
This term refers to the highest class in Minoan society, potentially consisting of rulers, priests, and the elite, who lived in the palatial centers.
What is the "palace elite" or "bureaucracy"
100
The Minoan palaces, such as Knossos, were centres of administration for this vital resource, which was produced locally and distributed throughout the island.
What is "grain"?
100
This double-edged axe, often associated with Minoan religious rituals, symbolised both divine power and protection.
What is the "Labrys"?
100
This vibrant fresco, found in the Palace of Knossos, is a celebrated example of Minoan artistic mastery, showcasing their connection to the sea.
What is the Dolphin fresco?
200
Crete is located at the crossroads of three continents : Europe, Asia, and this other continent.
What is Africa?
200
This site, located in southern Crete, is home to a well-preserved Minoan palace and is known for its rich storage jars and ceremonial areas.
What is Phaistos?
200
This Minoan artifact, often associated with priestesses, symbolizes fertility and power and can be seen in frescoes and figurines from Crete.
What is the "Snake Goddess"?
200
Minoan palaces controlled the distribution of this important product, which was used for cooking, lighting, and trade, making it a key component of their economy.
What is "olive oil"?
200
These curved, upward-pointing structures, often seen in Minoan art and architecture, are thought to represent gateways to the divine or the sacred realm.
What are the "Horns of Consecration"?
200
This type of Minoan pottery, known for its intricate designs and colorful patterns, was named after the site where it was first discovered.
What is Kamares ware?
300
This mountain range divides the island of Crete into two main regions.
What are the White Mountains (Lefka Ori)?
300
Known for its excellent preservation of wall paintings, this site offers clues about the daily life of the Minoans, particularly their religious practices.
What is Malia?
300
Women in this fresco display the social hierarchy of Minoan Crete
What is the "Grandstand Fresco"?
300
This term describes a political system in which a civilisation’s power and influence are based primarily on controlling the seas and maritime trade routes.
What is "Thalassocracy"?
300
This form of offering, often associated with Minoan religious practices, involved pouring liquids like wine or olive oil as a tribute to deities or spirits.
What are "libations"?
300
This fresco, discovered in the Palace of Knossos, features one of the few examples of non-native animals in Minoan art, highlighting their trading contacts.
What is the Monkey fresco?
400
The fertile plains and valleys of Crete were ideal for growing this staple crop, essential to the Minoan diet.
What is wheat (or barley)?
400
Known for its strategic location on the eastern side of Crete, this Minoan palace is associated with both administrative functions and commercial trade.
What is Zakros?
400
This type of societal structure, which likely played a role in Minoan Crete, could have allowed women to hold a higher status and political influence.
What is "matriarchal" (where lineage and inheritance are traced through the mother)?
400
This luxury product, which the Minoans extracted from a type of shell, was highly prized in ancient Mediterranean trade.
What is "murex" or "purple dye"?
400
This small, box-like container, often made of clay or wood, was used by the Minoans to hold the cremated remains of the deceased.
What is a larnax?
400
This writing system, used by the Minoans, remains largely undeciphered and is believed to be associated with the early Minoan civilisation.
What is Linear A?
500
Minoans mined this valuable resource, used in making tools, weapons, and for trade with other civilisations.
What is copper?
500
This Minoan artefact, discovered at Agia Triada, is a large ceremonial object, often associated with religious rituals and the elite class.
What is the "Agia Triada sarcophagus"?
500
The high status of women in Minoan society is supported by the prominence of women in this type of source made from metal, often showing them in powerful and revered roles.
What are "seal stones"?
500
Minoans constructed these palace rooms to warehouse agricultural products
What are "storage magazines"?
500
According to the myth, the Minotaur was kept in this complex maze, which was designed by the genius inventor Daedalus
What is the "Labyrinth"?
500
This enigmatic clay object, features stamped symbols that have yet to be fully deciphered, and remains one of the greatest mysteries of ancient writing systems.
What is the Phaistos Disc?
600
Crete was known for producing this fine fabric which became an important export.
What is "linen"
600
This smaller Minoan town, located near the Gulf of Mirabello, is known for its compact layout and its well-preserved streets and houses.
What is Gournia?
600
Minoan craftsmen were known for their expertise in this fine material, often used to create intricate jewelry, vessels, and other luxury items.
What is "gold"?
600
The Minoans traded extensively with this civilisation located to the south, exchanging pottery, oils and textiles for goods like ivory, gold and tin.
Who are the "Egyptians"?
600
Daedalus crafted a pair of wings for his son Icarus, using these materials, allowing him to escape from imprisonment.
What are "feathers and wax"?
600
In this ancient Minoan sport, timing was everything. Get it wrong and you could end up on a painful pointy end!
What is "Bull-Leaping"?
