If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 398

Knossos, Crete, Greece

While on a cycling trip our friend sent this beautiful postcard from Knossos, Crete.  At the lower left corner on the reverse credits are given to Stefanakis studio photography of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.  Also on the reverse side of the card was a map where the places to be visited during the cycling tour were underlined.  At the back wall of the ruins, not easily discernible on the card, is a fresco of a charging bull.  

Map on reverse of card showing the cycling destinations

The name Knossos comes from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete a ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization.  Around 2000 BC the urban area had a population of about 18,000 and at its peak after 1700 BC there were100,000 people living here. 

Even earlier there was a Neolithic settlement of between 200 and 600 persons.  Excavations of ruins provide insights in how these groups of people lived.  The houses were one or two rooms mostly built of fieldstone with inner walls covered in plaster.  The flat roofs were made from sticks and mud.  Dug in hearths were found in various locations most located in the center of the main room.  One building, under the West Court, had 8 rooms suggesting that it was used for storage.  

Minoan palaces began to be constructed soon after 2000 BC and are evidence of greater wealth.  The main building of the palace of Knossos covered 3 acres that extended to 5 acres when including the separate outbuildings.  The upper floor with state rooms was reached by a monumental staircase.  Storage jars that contained things like oil, wool, wine and grain were up to 5 feet tall occupied 16 rooms.  Lead-lined boxes called cists were used to house smaller valuable items.  Minoan pottery has been found in widespread areas from Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Rhodes, Sicily and mainland Greece.  The link between Athens and Knossos is evident from both tradition and archaeological finds.  The Minotaur story is the main legend of has Athens a subject and paying tribute to Knossos.

Trivia:  Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes have caused much destruction from time to time on this small islet.  Roman coins inscribed with Knosion or Knos found scattered over fields also have images of the Minotaur or Labyrinth.  Excavations begun in 1900 and lasting 35 years far exceeded expectations.  The palace contained rooms suitable for a monarch and family but most rooms were used for civic, religious and economic purposes.  

The Greek stamp 

As always, thank you our friend who continues to send interesting, beautiful postcards.

For more information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knossos