Palopalatial Period (1900-1700 BC)
Around 1900 BC the first grand palaces were built on Crete at
Knossos, Malia, Kato Zakros and Phaistos. These buildings
indicate that during this era there had been a significant shift
of power back to the heart of the island and the appearance of a
more ordered but hierarchical society. The positioning of all
these citadels occupy strategic locations with both Phaistos and
Malia dominating fertile plains whereas Zakros was sited close
to the sea and a harbour for trading with the east. Knossos had
a strategic position above a plain to the south and west of
Iraklion.
This latter settlement, it is thought, was an important
religious centre as well as a base for secular power. It was
during this time that sanctuaries on top of mountains and caves
as centres for cult worship began to develop. Throughout this
period large settlements were expanding, particularly around the
palaces, whilst outside of the urban areas large villas were
being constructed. The existence of these grand palaces is
evidence of the growing wealth during this era and the many
objects and works of art excavated support this analysis. It was
during this period that the characteristic Kamares ware pottery
developed. Its name comes from the Kamares cave near to the
palace of Phaistos.
It would seem that this cave was a sacred place for the Minoans
as excavations have discovered votive offerings and great
quantities of such pottery. Two types of design were produced:
the sturdier vessels had red, orange and white painted
decoration on a dark background and the other was often
elaborate, with more complicated patterns on delicate pottery
that was eggshell thin. A more exact potters" wheel was
developed to make production more efficient and also during this
period simple hieroglyphic writing began to be used. One of the
most important finds is the Disc of Phaistos, a unique example
of the hieroglyphics.
Unfortunately, attempts to decipher it have been unsuccessful as
no more examples have been found and there is not enough context
for any meaningful analysis. Today, it is exhibited at the
Archaeological Museum of Iraklion. The settlements around the
palaces had sophisticated sanitation systems and a highly
developed system of urban planning. The economy was agricultural
but also thrived on trading. Many colonies (or trading posts)
were set up on several Cycladic islands in addition to the
island of Kithira (part of the Ionian island group), Rhodes, the
coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and Egypt. There were
regular trade links betweens these centres by a fleet of
merchant vessels and evidence of this is supported by finds from
Crete located in these regions. The end of this period came
about in around 1700 BC, probably by an earthquake.