KnossosKnossos

By Clay and Matt

IntroductionIntroductionKnossos, a beautiful palace established around 7,000 Knossos, a beautiful palace established around 7,000 B.C., was designed by Dedalos and built by the Minoan B.C., was designed by Dedalos and built by the Minoan Civilization. The Minoans are credited as being the first Civilization. The Minoans are credited as being the first European civilization. Knossos is located in Crete, a European civilization. Knossos is located in Crete, a small island near Greece. Knossos was built on a hill small island near Greece. Knossos was built on a hill called Kephala. Knossos was only five and a half acres. called Kephala. Knossos was only five and a half acres. The material Knossos was built of is called ashlar, The material Knossos was built of is called ashlar, which is a combination of concrete and stone, used as a which is a combination of concrete and stone, used as a substitute for brick. substitute for brick.

The story of DedalosThe story of Dedalos

King Minos ordered Dedalos to build a complex palace King Minos ordered Dedalos to build a complex palace of which no one could find their way out. After it was of which no one could find their way out. After it was finished, King Minos kept Dedalos as a prisoner finished, King Minos kept Dedalos as a prisoner because he didn’t want him to release the secrets of the because he didn’t want him to release the secrets of the design. As a prisoner, he made two pairs of wings for design. As a prisoner, he made two pairs of wings for himself and his son Ikaros to fly out. Ikaros flew too himself and his son Ikaros to fly out. Ikaros flew too close to the sun and his wings burned and he fell to the close to the sun and his wings burned and he fell to the ocean and drowned. ocean and drowned.

Knossos RoomsKnossos RoomsInside of Knossos there are corridors, a central Inside of Knossos there are corridors, a central courtyard, a throne room, large baths, enormous courtyard, a throne room, large baths, enormous storage rooms, workshops, weapon storage, prison storage rooms, workshops, weapon storage, prison chambers and more. Outside of the palace, there are chambers and more. Outside of the palace, there are small houses, markets, fairs, workshops and more. It is small houses, markets, fairs, workshops and more. It is estimated Knossos had approximately 1,400 rooms. estimated Knossos had approximately 1,400 rooms. There were also a lot of paintings. The walls were There were also a lot of paintings. The walls were decorated with lots of paintings called frescos. The decorated with lots of paintings called frescos. The decorations were based on bull leaping, rituals and decorations were based on bull leaping, rituals and more. more. The storerooms had pithoi, large clay vases that The storerooms had pithoi, large clay vases that held oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives. Many of held oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives. Many of the items were made at the palace itself, which had the items were made at the palace itself, which had grain mills, oil presses and wine presses.grain mills, oil presses and wine presses.

Knossos SystemsKnossos SystemsThe palace had three liquid managements systems: one The palace had three liquid managements systems: one to supply clean water, one for drainage of rain water to supply clean water, one for drainage of rain water and the other for the dirty water. Knossos also had and the other for the dirty water. Knossos also had aqueducts that brought fresh water to the town and the aqueducts that brought fresh water to the town and the palace. Knossos was designed to take as much natural palace. Knossos was designed to take as much natural light during the summer days as it could. The rooms on light during the summer days as it could. The rooms on the courtyard had large and wide windows with multi-the courtyard had large and wide windows with multi-doors to receive the light. Each room had a fireplace doors to receive the light. Each room had a fireplace for heating, but there is no evidence of a central heating for heating, but there is no evidence of a central heating system. They used charcoal in the fireplace. system. They used charcoal in the fireplace.

Trade RoutesTrade Routes

The trade routes from Knossos established The trade routes from Knossos established communications and trading from such different areas communications and trading from such different areas as Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Afghanistan and Scandinavia. as Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Afghanistan and Scandinavia. Common goods that were traded were copper, ivory, Common goods that were traded were copper, ivory, amethyst, lapis-lazuli, carnelian, gold, amber and other amethyst, lapis-lazuli, carnelian, gold, amber and other important items. important items.

AmethystAmethyst

lapis-lazulilapis-lazuli

CarnelianCarnelian

GoldGold

AmberAmber

Knossos DisastersKnossos Disasters

The palace of Knossos was damaged around 1700 B.C The palace of Knossos was damaged around 1700 B.C in a fire and a wall collapsed. Later it was destroyed by a in a fire and a wall collapsed. Later it was destroyed by a major earthquake. The earthquake left Knossos major earthquake. The earthquake left Knossos shattered in pieces. shattered in pieces.

Sir Arthur Evans Sir Arthur Evans

In the 1800s, Sir Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist, In the 1800s, Sir Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist, started to rebuild some sections of Knossos. Sir Arthur started to rebuild some sections of Knossos. Sir Arthur Evans was born on July 8, 1851 and died on July 11, Evans was born on July 8, 1851 and died on July 11, 1941. Reconstruction has continued on Knossos and 1941. Reconstruction has continued on Knossos and today it receives about one million visitors every year.today it receives about one million visitors every year.