Arthur Evans, who excavated Knossos, estimated the original Neolithic settlements on Crete stretch back to 8000 B.C.E. By 2000, the civilization had transitioned from wattle and daub huts to an affluent society marked by mis-named palaces. Misnamed because it is thought they were not simply the abode of the rulers but also governmental, religious and craftsmen centers. The remains of storage rooms were also discovered on this site.

Below are the large storage vessels known as pithoi.

Knossos was destroyed several times. Crete is prone to earthquakes and there is a nearby volcano. Until about 1400 to 1450 B.C.E. Knossos was always rebuilt. What happened after that date? Santorini (Thera) erupted, causing ash to spread as far west as Turkey and a tsunami to overwhelm the boats in the Knossos harbor. Largely destroyed, Knossos and other towns were easy pickings for the Mycenae, the mainland Greeks. They swept in and took over. They adopted much from the Minoan civilization, including their Gods and Goddesses. (Zeus, Dionysus, Hera, and Artemis are some that were worshipped on Crete before migrating to mainland Greece.)

The ruins of other Minoan cities can be visited. Gournia is one. Akrotiri is another. This was a colony from Crete, and was buried in volcanic ash. It is now being excavated. But Knossos appears to be the largest and most important.

Since the ruins were excavated Knossos has become a major tourist attraction. Parts have been rebuilt and some of it has been repainted in what is thought to be the original colors.

Here is one example: the so-called throne room. The lustral basin in the foreground and the griffins (a symbol of the Goddess) indicated that this chamber was probably used for religious purposes.