Chapter 9, Student Web Activities, Human Heritage: A World History, Glencoe, 2001-03

Student Web Activity

Chapter 9: Beginnings
"The Minoans"

Introduction
The Minoan civilization began around 2800 B.C. on Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. For about 1400 years, the Minoans lived prosperous and culturally rich lives. Palaces built by the Minoans had up to eight hundred rooms, were adorned with brightly colored frescoes, and had bathrooms with bathtubs and flush toilets. Crete today enjoys a large tourist industry, partly because of interest in the ancient Minoan ruins that were found in Knossos. Read about the city of Knossos and the Palace of Minos at the Dilos Holiday World Travel Pages Web site.

Destination Title: Dilos Holiday World Travel Pages

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Directions
Start at the Dilos Holiday World Travel Pages Web site.

Under the "History" topic, click on "Knossos."
Browse the site, taking notes as you go. You may visit other topics, such as the "Minoan Civilization" and "Minoan Palaces."
Read through the information, and then answer the following questions.

1. How did the Bronze Age civilization in Crete come to be known as the Minoan civilization?

2. How did the geographic position of Minoa favor its influence upon other civilizations? What Minoan practices did other civilizations adopt?

3. What characteristics do all the Minoan palaces share?

4. Why did the Minoans have to rebuild their palaces at least twice?

5. Some people believe that Atlantis, the mythical lost civilization of technologically advanced people, could be the ancient Minoan civilization located at Thera, on the island of Santorini. When the volcano of Santorini exploded in 1450 B.C., it blew away the entire center of the island, leaving an ocean where there once had been land. Imagine you are a newspaper reporter, and archaeologists have just discovered underwater evidence that the legendary Atlantis was in fact the ancient Minoan civilization of Thera. On a separate sheet of paper, write a newspaper article describing the discovery. Give your readers background information about the Minoan culture and the characteristics of their daily lives.