Minoans Artwork

Early Minoan Crete

Minoan artwork tells a lot about it's history, for example Early Minoans Crete was characterized by it's burials, and a number of excavated settlement sites. These burials and sites indicate that advances in gem engraving, stoneworking, metalworking and pottery were made. It Also indicated that Terracotta bowls on high pedestals and burnishing tools were used as decoration.

Middle Minoan Crete

The Middle Minoan Crete took place during 1900 B.C. which reached it's highest peek of development within the civilization with the development of Palaces, which stood for political and economical power. Major palaces were built in Knosses and Millia in the northern part of Crete, at Phaistos in the south, and at Zakros in the east. These palaces were recognizable by the paved central court, not to mention the several guard towers that surround the palaces. The floors and walls of these palaces were usually painted colorfully of rituals and scences of nature. Along with the building of palaces they also built sanitary facilities.

The New Kingdom

The New Kingdom took place during the second millinnium B.C. which was a prosperous time for the Minoans. This was because of all the trade between civilizations around the mediterranean basin. The Cretan exports consisted of timber, foodstuffs, cloth, olive oil and lots of luxury goods. The Minoans imported tin, copper, gold, silver, emery, fine stones, ivory and some manufactured goods, even though they recieved these goods the Minoans were very self sufficiant. In the fact that they did all there own metalworking, pottery, granulated jewelry and carved seal stones, all of these crafts were made in all types of materials such as: clay, gold, stone, ivory and bronze.

The Mycenaean Artwork

The only difference between the Mycenaeans artwork and the Minoans artwork is that the Mycenaeans artwork was more war like. The Mycenaeans built huge gates and walls to keep out their enemy's and later on, once the Mycenaens had dissappeared the Greeks had no idea their civilization had existed and thought that the huge gates and walls were built by a mythical race of giants known as Cyclopes.