12/23/12
On Crete the most popular or talked about ruins is the ancient city of Knossos. We had read a lot about Knossos and though we had read about how a British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, found and attempted to restore the site in the early 1900’s we were not prepared for how poorly his work effected the site. Because of his efforts, the ruins were somewhat ruined. Sadly his attempt to ‘repair’ things to their original state ended really taking away from the structures and it is thought that many of his repairs were inaccurate.
Very disappointing. 
Minoan pottery
and old stadium
Originally Knossos was inhabited in 7000 BC. We really had to stop and think this place is OLD and wondered how can things be that old??? In the United States, things that are 250 to 300 years old it is OLD and in Alaska, where I live, 100 years old is old, so this area just took our breath away.
as soon as you enter, there are three large kouloures, large round pits and deep bottoms.
looking into a kouloures
Pithoi, or storage jars, at Knossos. Hard to believe how big they are
The people living here in 1375 BC left marking the end of the end of the Minoan civilization. The first palace to be built here was built around 1900 BC on top of the ruins from earlier people. It is thought that an earthquake took down this palace around 1700 BC but rebuilt quickly and again destroyed by an earthquake or volcano in 1450 BC. However, many of the remains are still visible. 
The North Entrance
We spent a few hours here walking around and exploring. As typical of our December visit to Crete we were two of about a dozen visitors on this day! 
Here is a photo of what the palace is thought to look like when it was in use. Also a birds eye view as what it looks like today.
a birds eye view
what the palace looked like when it was actively being used
timistravels 
Great pics we will be in Crete this summer.!!!
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Ken Miller would like to use picture of Knossos reconstructed. Can you tell me who owns that image? Thanks
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I took all the photos on my blog. How would you like to use them? I’m fine if you credit me. If you need in bigger format let me know.
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