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Knossos
Knossos (pronounced Kuh-nuh-SOS) is the ancient Minoan palace and surrounding city on the island of Crete, sung of by Homer in his Odyssey: “Among their cities is the great city of Cnosus, where Minos reigned when nine years old, he that...
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Knossos
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, probably the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture. It is a popular tourist destination today, as it is near the main city of Heraklion and has...
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Theatral Area & Royal Road of the Palace of Knossos
View of the Theatral Area of the Palace of Knossos (Crete) and the Royal Road right below.
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North Corridor of the Palace of Knossos
The sloping North Corridor leading to the Central Court of the Palace of Knossos (Crete) with the restored West Basion and its replica of the Charging Bull relief. In the background is the North Lustral Basin.
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Exploring Western Crete's Archaeological Treasures
As the cradle of European civilization and a meeting place of diverse cultures, Crete is a magical island that stands apart in the heart of the Mediterranean sea. Its prominent place in world history dates back to the mysterious and fascinating...
Image Gallery
A Gallery of Reconstructed Palaces
In this gallery, we present reconstructions of seven famous palaces through history. The palaces, presented here in the chronological order of their construction, are: Palace of Knossos, Crete Qal'eh Dokhtar Palace, Fizurabad Dungur...
Definition
Linear A Script
Linear A script was used by the Minoan civilization centred on Crete during the Bronze Age. Used from around 1850 to around 1450 BCE, the script has never been deciphered. Artefacts bearing Linear A script, most commonly clay tablets, have...
Definition
Ancient Crete
Crete is an island in the eastern Mediterranean which during the Bronze Age produced the influential Minoan civilization with its distinctive architecture and art. An important member of the Greek world in the Archaic period, Crete dipped...
Definition
Bronze Age Aegean
The Bronze Age (c. 3000-1000 BCE) is the period when cultures were either using, producing, or trading bronze. Several cultures flourished around the Aegean Sea during this period: the Minoan civilization on Crete, the Mycenaean civilization...
Definition
Phaistos
Located on the fertile Mesara plain in central Crete, Phaistos has been inhabited since the Final Neolithic period (c. 3600-3000 BCE). The settlements greatest period of influence was from the 20th to 15th century BCE, during which time it...