The Minoan Civilisation

In Our Time

BBC

History

4.6 • 9.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2011

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Minoan Civilisation.In 1900 the British archaeologist Arthur Evans began excavating some ancient ruins at Knossos on the island of Crete. He uncovered an enormous palace complex which reminded him of the mythical labyrinth of King Minos. Evans had in fact discovered the remnants of a Bronze Age society; in honour of Crete's legendary king he named it the Minoan Civilisation.The Minoans flourished for twelve centuries, and their civilisation was at its height around three and a half thousand years ago, when they built elaborate palaces all over the island. They were sophisticated builders and artists, and appear to have invented one of the world's earliest writing systems. Since Evans's discoveries a hundred years ago, we have learnt much about Minoan society, religion and culture - but much still remains mysterious.With:John BennetProfessor of Aegean Archaeology at Sheffield UniversityEllen AdamsLecturer in Classical Art and Archaeology at King's College LondonYannis HamilakisProfessor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Transcript

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0:48.0	Hello just over a hundred years ago a British archaeologist Arthur Evans began to excavate a plot of land at Canosus in Northern Crete.
0:57.0	The discoveries he made there were to revolutionise our understanding of prehistoric Europe.
1:02.0	Over the next 35 years Evans uncovered a vast complex of
1:05.4	buildings which he called the Palace of Minos. It was the center he decided of a
1:10.4	previously unknown Bronze Age society which he dubbed the Minoan civilization.
1:15.6	The Minoans flourished for around 2,000 years long before ancient Greek civilization had begun.
1:20.7	They were sophisticated builders and artists and invented one of the earliest systems of writing.
1:25.0	Thanks to Evans and its successors, we even know a little of their religion and customs,
1:30.0	but we're still learning more about this fascinating prehistoric society.
1:34.0	With me to discuss the Minoan Civilization are John Bennett,
1:38.0	Professor of Aegean Archaeology at the University of Sheffield,
1:41.0	Ellen Adams, lecturer in classical art and archaeology at Kings College London,
1:46.0	and Janis Hamilarchis, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton.
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