Located near the city Heraklion lays the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos also known as the possible ancient civilization of the Minoans. The Greek word Knossos in English means ‘labyrinth’ which creates the theory that it is the Palace of Knossos that may have been the birthplace of the ancient myth of the Minotaur. The history and origin of the city is still being theorized by experts but carbon dating has placed the city to have been erected during the bronze age. The palace (built between 1700 and 1400 B.C.E) had a very complex layout that consisted of over 1,300 rooms all neatly constructed and compacted together. The palace had its own theater, store rooms, and a vast main entrance.
No one knows specifically why the city was evacuated and why it was covered up but many believe that it may have had to do with natural disasters, the same that may have possibly covered up the lost city of Atlantis. The city was rediscovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos but he had a futile attempt with successfully unearthing the entire city. It wasn’t until March 16th, 1900 that the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans excavated the entire site. He conducted the whole project out of his own finances and once the city was unearthed he began reconstruction of the city with 20th century architecture combined with ancient architecture. Many saw this as an insult to the ancient palace but Arthur Evans wanted guests to walk through the city as if had never been abandoned.
It is because of the work that Sir Arthur Evans conducted on the city that many experts believe that he may have painted an illegitimate picture of the Minoan civilization. Researchers have cross referenced Arthur’s portrayal of Minoan life to other examples by other cultures that had come in contact with the Minoans. However, because of the lost written knowledge that the city may have had has made the cities emergence into ancient history a wonder.
Sources:
“Knossos, Crete: The Palace of Minos The Labyrinth of Minoan Culture” By K. Kris Hirst