The Minoan civilization flourished in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000 - c. 1450 BCE) on the island of Crete located in the eastern Mediterranean. With their unique art and architecture, and the spread of their ideas through contact with other cultures across the Aegean, the Minoans made a significant contribution to the development of Western European civilization.
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Definition
Timeline
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3000 BCEStone tombs on Crete.
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2000 BCE - 1400 BCEPhaistos' greatest cultural height.
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2000 BCE - 1700 BCEFirst Minoan palace at Phaistos.
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c. 2000 BCEPottery wheel introduced to Minoan civilization on Crete.
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c. 2000 BCE - c. 1650 BCECretan Hieroglyphic script is in use.
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2000 BCE - 1450 BCEMinoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.
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1900 BCE - 1500 BCESphinxes are represented in Minoan art in pottery, plaques and fabrics.
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c. 1900 BCE - c. 1675 BCEFirst Minoan palace at Malia.
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1900 BCEFirst Minoan palace at Knossos.
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c. 1850 BCE - c. 1450 BCEThe Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.
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1700 BCESecond Palace of Knossos on Crete.
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1700 BCE - 1400 BCEThe culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by Minoan Crete.
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1675 BCE - 1450 BCESecond Minoan palace at Malia.
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1650 BCE - 1550 BCEKnossos survives Thera eruption.
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c. 1600 BCEPhaistos disk manufactured.
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c. 1600 BCERhodes has significant contact with Minoan Crete.
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1500 BCE - 1450 BCEThe 'Harvester Vase' of Minoan origin depicts a sistrum player.
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c. 1450 BCEEarthquake and fire ends the Minoan period at Malia.
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c. 1450 BCEDestruction of Minoan palace at Zakros.
