Reconstruction of the Palace at Knossos
c. 1700 BCE · Ancient World
Around 1720-1700 BCE, an earthquake destroyed the first palace at Knossos on Crete. The Minoans rebuilt it on a larger scale, creating a multi-story complex covering approximately 22,000 square meters around a central court. The Neopalatial structure incorporated colonnades, light wells, drainage systems, and storage magazines. Frescoes depicting dolphins, bull-leaping, and processions decorated its walls. The palace functioned as an administrative, economic, and religious center, coordinating trade networks across the eastern Mediterranean. This rebuilding marked the beginning of the Neopalatial period during which Minoan influence expanded to other Aegean islands.
Key Figures
Arthur Evans
Locations
Knossos
Topics
Bronze AgeMinoan civilizationKnossospalace architectureCretemaritime tradeAegean
Connected Events — 4 Connections
Phaistos Disc was produced within the Minoan palatial administrative system during the same Neopalatial period as the reconstruction of Knossos Phaistos Disc
Neopalatial administrative apparatus at Knossos relied on Linear A script for record-keeping; the script widespread use emerged from bureaucratic needs of the rebuilt palace system Linear A Script: Undeciphered Minoan Writing System
Minoan civilization centered at the rebuilt Knossos palace was disrupted by the eruption of Thera which generated tsunamis striking the northern coast of Crete Eruption of Santorini (Thera)
Early Cycladic culture artistic traditions and maritime trade networks preceded and influenced Minoan palatial culture; Cycladic artifacts found in Cretan archaeological contexts Early Cycladic Culture
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