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An ancient Greek capital of the legendary king Minos. Is Knossos, it was the principal center of the Minoan culture.

Its site stands on a knoll. Between two streams, and is located about 5 miles (8 km) below Crete’s northern coast.

Like many of the other Greek islands. Early neolithic settlers came over from mostly Anatolia in the 7th and 8th millennium BC. They firmly established an agricultural society based on wheat and livestock raising. In a span of just 6000 years, Knossos became a Greek administrative center, and the capital of Crete’s regions within its jurisdiction

Knossos was settled around 9000 years ago, during the pre-pottery neolithic

Radiocarbon dating has suggested dates around 7,030-6,780 BCE (1).  Making it the oldest known settlement in Crete.

The remains are prolific. They are found in caves, rock shelters; and thru old houses, and the settlement

Earliest settlers attest to cloth-making, tool making; farming; fishing, hunting; and, trade Archaeologists even found fine ground axe and mace heads of colored stones including greenstone, serpentine, diorite, even jadeite (jade). As well, there were any obsidian knives and arrowheads.

Like other Greek establishments. Art was significant

Among the other small items were a large number of animal and human figurines, including nude sitting or standing women. Attributing to the neolithic mother goddess and figurines in general to religion.

Lion Goddess

There is a depiction of a goddess flanked by two lions. It appears many images, and artistry around the site.

Early neolithic: families and homes

From scientific studies, we have a take on 9000–8000 years ago. A hamlet of 25–50 persons begin at the location of the central court. They lived in wattle and daub huts, kept animals, and grew crops. Most of the huts, consisted of several families. They begin to practice exogamy (custom of marrying outside a community, tribe or clan). Lived in close quarters, and working hard, with a high degree of intimacy.

Early on, it was still somewhat no-madic

They hiked around, hunted, fished, mined and traded when others. That may have became trapped on, or were traveling to or around the island came nearby.

And, so again, building techniques evolved

Towards the end of this period. They were in one or two room square houses of mud brick walls. Using the recycled, or nearby stone, clay and mud. The inner walls also had early log and stone engineering with mud and daub. Many of the roofs were flat, composed of mud over branches. And, the residents dug hearths at various locations.

7000-6000 years ago: The settlement of the middle Neolithic

As families and populations increased. So begin, what was presumably more family private homes. Around this period, population reached 500-1000 people. Buildings remained constant, ever improving. Windows and doors were timbered, hearth designed improved, and there were even proper cabinets and beds.

It was around this time, under the palace, the Knossos neolithic residents built a great house

A 1100 sq foot stone building with 5 rooms. Because of its thick 1 meter (3.28 feet) stone walls most believe a 2nd story was present. The presence of its age and size suggest it was not likely a private residence. But one for public or community use and sharing.

4500 years ago begins the late neolithic and/or early Minoan period

Implying greater wealth; social concentration of authority; politics; and, faith. It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after 2000 BC.

It was a sharp improvement from the traditional neolithic village system.  And, professors have suggested the new period followed eastern models

Like those at Ugarit on the Syrian coast, and Mari on the upper Euphrates. All the palaces had large central courtyards. Living quarters, storage rooms and administrative centers were positioned around.

They also had working quarters for skilled craftsmen: blacksmith, knappers, bakers, farmers; labourers; artists and more

Since metallurgy had begun, it allowed a more structured commercialization of barter and trade. Kind of like today.

They made and traded for tin, copper and stone, created awesome glazed pottery, made gold jewelry and even engraved things

From this period. Hieroglyphic scripts were found, and trade with Egyptians was undertaken. Knossos produced and commercialized fine polychrome pottery during this period.

Unfortunately it was around 1720 BC a destructive earthquake leveled parts of Knossos Thereafter, it was rebuilt stronger with stairs, and greater safety elements.

Did you know? In Greek mythology, it’s stated Knosso palace was designed with such complexity. That no one placed in it could ever find its exit. King Minos commissioned famed architect Dedalos. He arranged with Dedalos to never leave the site so he would not revealed its design and plans to anyone.

Chambers and corridors were often decorated with frescoes showing scenes from everyday life

Possessions, relationships and wildlife. Outside of double headed axes (labrys); and, half man half bulls. Warfare and violence was conspicuously absent here.

Minoan period would have been a great time.

Remains from this period are still concentrated in the area which would later become the central court of the palace, suggesting continuity in ritual activity (2), (3), (4)

Unfortunately, some time after about 1400 BC, what researchers called the “Last Palace” of Knossos. Was destroyed by a fire of uncertain origin

Knossos continued to be inhabited through the subsequent centuries, though on a much-reduced scale.

As 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 held converse with great Zeus.”

Check it out, with some more neolithic architecture today.

Cite: 1) Facorellis, Yorgos & Maniatis, Y.. (2013). Radiocarbon Dates from the Neolithic Settlement of Knossos:: An Overview. 10.2307/j.ctt5vj96p.17

2) MacDonald, Colin (2012). “Knossos”. In Cline, Eric (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean. Oxford University Press. pp. 529–542.

doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199873609.013.0040 (https://doi.org/10.1093%2Foxfordhb%2F9780

199873609.013.0040). ISBN 978-0199873609. MacDonald 2012, p. 464

3) Düring, Bleda S (2011). The prehistory of Asia Minor: from complex hunter-gatherers to early

urban societies. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 126.

4) McEnroe, John C (2010). Architecture of Minoan Crete: constructing identity in the Aegean

Bronze Age. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 12–17.

Bibliography: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911), “Cnossus” , Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 6 (11th ed.), Cambridge University Press, pp. 573–574

Bury, J. B.; Meiggs, Russell (1975). A History of Greece (Fourth ed.). London: MacMillan Press. ISBN0-333-15492-4.

(1901). “Minoan Civilization at the Palace of Knosses” (PDF). Monthly Review.