Photos of the Wonderful Minoan Knossos Archaeology Site

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Photos of the Wonderful Ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos Archaeology Site on Crete. The best known Minoan Site excavated by Arthur E . Photos by photographer Paul E Williams. (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Minoan Palace of Knossos Archaeology Site

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Photos of the wonderful Knossos Palace, the largest Bronze Age Minoan archaeological site on Crete.

Knossos or Cnossos, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe’s oldest city. Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to a major city on Crete.

The palace of Knossos eventually became the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace was abandoned at some unknown time at the end of the Late Bronze Age, c. 1380–1100 BC. By far the largest Minoan Palace, Knossos covers over five acres when out-buildings are added.

Knossos Palace Layout

A monumental staircase lead to state rooms on an upper floor of Knossos. A ritual cult centre was on the ground floor. The palace stores occupied sixteen rooms with pithoi storage jars up to five feet tall. Theses were used mainly for storaging oil, wool, wine, and grain. Smaller and more valuable objects were stored in lead-lined cists.

Knossos Bathrooms & Plumbing

The palace of Knossos had bathrooms, toilets, and a drainage system. A theatre was found at Knossos that would have held 400 spectators (an earlier one has been found at Phaestos). The orchestral area was rectangular unlike later Athenian models. It was probably used for religious dances.

Minoan Building Techniques

Building techniques at Knossos were typical of Minoan buildings. The foundations and lower course were stonework with the whole built on a timber framework of beams and pillars. The main structure was built of large unbaked bricks.

The roof was flat with a thick layer of clay over brushwood. Internal rooms were brightened by light-wells and columns of wood, many fluted, were used to lend both support and dignity.

Knossos Frescoes

Chambers and corridors were decorated with frescoes showing scenes from everyday life and scenes of processions. Warfare is conspicuously absent. Fashions of the time may be seen in depictions of women in various poses. They had elaborately dressed hair and wore long dresses with flounced skirts and puffed sleeves. Their bodices were tightly drawn in round their waists and their breasts were exposed.

All photos can be downloaded as editorial royalty free images. Property Rights belong to the relevant museums.