Crete greece

Knossos is the main Bronze Age archaeological site at Heraklion, a modern port city on the north central coast of Crete. The site was excavated and the palace complex found there partially restored under the direction of Arthur Evans in the earliest years of the 20th century. The palace complex is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. It was the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilizations
​and culture.

Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete. This thrown was the original first settlement about 7000 BC. The first palace dates to 1900 BC
The Minoan civilization on the island of Crete dates back to 2700 BC. It represents the first advanced civilization in Europe, which left behind massive building complexes, tools, artwork, writing system. The civilization was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. The name "Minoan" derives from the mythical King Minos and was coined by Evans, who identified the site at Knossos with the labyrinth and the Minotaur. The Minoan civilization has been described as the earliest of its kind in Europe and historian Will Durant called the Minoans "the first link in the European chain".