The Minoans

An up-to-date introduction to the mysterious, ancient European civilization.

This book offers an authoritative introduction to the world of the Minoans, the first "modern" civilization on European soil. With its grand palaces, a sophisticated bureaucracy, an indecipherable writing system, exquisite artworks, powerful depictions of women, and advanced urban engineering, this Bronze Age ancient civilization was remarkably modern indeed.

This readable book explores key aspects of the Minoan culture as well as its influence on Western culture. Attention is also paid to archaeological attempts to reconstruct and represent the civilization in museums. This concise and up-to-date guide is essential for understanding both the history and the lasting legacy of the Minoans.

Ellen Adams is a reader in classical archaeology and liberal arts at King's College London. She is the author of Cultural Identity in Minoan Crete: Social Dynamics in the Neopalatial Period.