Minoan Trade
b) With reference to source B and your own knowledge, explain the main features of Minoan trade.
Trade had a significant impact upon Minoan lifestyle. As an island society that didn’t use coinage, trade was essential to their existence, with the sea being the central contributor to the vast success the Minoans had as traders. The Minoans traded with Egypt, the Cyclades, Palestine, Asia Minor, and mainland Greece. The main features of Minoan trade included tangible and intangible trade; various evidence exists that proves their own lifestyle was influenced greatly and developed in conjunction with surrounding cultures.
Evidence supporting the trading between Minoans and other civilizations is extensive, particularly in the field of sea trade. Shipwrecks recovered within the waters of Crete serve as proof to the Minoan’s strength lying in their power over the sea. The Minoan shipwreck discovered in 2005 was suggested to have been involved in the transportation of goods of some sort, for the purpose of exchanging goods overseas. Copper and tin, in which bronze was crafted from, was thought to originate from Asia Minor, and traces of bronze have been found all throughout Crete relating to the Minoan society. Elements of bone, steatite and ivory have all been recovered from the Minoans, thought to originate from Syria. From this wide variety of materials, it can be deduced that Minoan trade was conducted on a broad scale.
Pottery was one of the prime objects of trade for the Minoans. This can be noted from the extensive accumulation of fragments of ceramic vessels from a variety of locations, both within Crete and outside the island. Pottery was used for the containing of water, cooking oils or perfume. During the old palace period, a rapid advance in ceramics and their designs occurred, and with this, so did the trading of pottery as imports and exports to the Minoans. The vast extent and popularity of the trading of Minoan ceramics can be noted from pottery
Trade had a significant impact upon Minoan lifestyle. As an island society that didn’t use coinage, trade was essential to their existence, with the sea being the central contributor to the vast success the Minoans had as traders. The Minoans traded with Egypt, the Cyclades, Palestine, Asia Minor, and mainland Greece. The main features of Minoan trade included tangible and intangible trade; various evidence exists that proves their own lifestyle was influenced greatly and developed in conjunction with surrounding cultures.
Evidence supporting the trading between Minoans and other civilizations is extensive, particularly in the field of sea trade. Shipwrecks recovered within the waters of Crete serve as proof to the Minoan’s strength lying in their power over the sea. The Minoan shipwreck discovered in 2005 was suggested to have been involved in the transportation of goods of some sort, for the purpose of exchanging goods overseas. Copper and tin, in which bronze was crafted from, was thought to originate from Asia Minor, and traces of bronze have been found all throughout Crete relating to the Minoan society. Elements of bone, steatite and ivory have all been recovered from the Minoans, thought to originate from Syria. From this wide variety of materials, it can be deduced that Minoan trade was conducted on a broad scale.
Pottery was one of the prime objects of trade for the Minoans. This can be noted from the extensive accumulation of fragments of ceramic vessels from a variety of locations, both within Crete and outside the island. Pottery was used for the containing of water, cooking oils or perfume. During the old palace period, a rapid advance in ceramics and their designs occurred, and with this, so did the trading of pottery as imports and exports to the Minoans. The vast extent and popularity of the trading of Minoan ceramics can be noted from pottery