Editing Minoan civilization (section)

===Middle Minoan===

[[File:Palace_of_Knossos_Crete_Greece_(44812341684).jpg|thumb|280px|alt=West facade of the Palace at Knossos|The western façade of the Palace at Knossos. Like other palaces, it was built during the Middle Minoan era but continually renovated throughout its existence.]]

'''MM I''' (c. 2100–1875 BC) saw the emergence of Protopalatial society. During MM IA (c. 2100-1925 BC), populations increased dramatically at sites such as Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia, accompanied by major construction projects. During MM IB (c. 1925-1875 BC), the first palaces were built at these sites, in areas which had been used for communal ceremonies since the Neolithic. Middle Minoan artisans developed new colorful paints and adopted the [[potter's wheel]] during MM IB, producing wares such as [[Kamares ware]].<ref name=TomkinsSchoepHandbook/><ref name=SchoepHandbook>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Schoep|first=Ilse|year=2012 |title=Crete |editor-last=Cline |editor-first=Eric |encyclopedia=The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean |pages=113–125 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199873609.013.0008|isbn=978-0199873609}}</ref><ref name="Minoan Pottery">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Hallager|first=Birgitta|year=2012 |title=Minoan Pottery |editor-last=Cline |editor-first=Eric |encyclopedia=The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean |pages=405–414 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199873609.013.0030|isbn=978-0199873609}}</ref>

'''MM II''' (c. 1875–1700 BC) saw the development of the Minoan writing systems, [[Cretan hieroglyphs|Cretan hieroglyphic]] and [[Linear A]]. It ended with mass destructions generally attributed to earthquakes, though violent destruction has been considered as an alternative explanation.<ref name=SchoepHandbook /><ref>{{cite book |last=Watrous |first=L. Vance |year=2021 |title=Minoan Crete: An Introduction|publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=52–76|isbn=9781108440493}}</ref>

'''MM III''' (c. 1750–1700 BC) marks the beginning of the Neopalatial period. Most of the palaces were rebuilt with architectural innovations, with the notable exception of Phaistos. Cretan hieroglyphs were abandoned in favor of Linear A, and Minoan cultural influence becomes significant in mainland Greece.<ref name=SchoepHandbook/><ref name=welwei>Karl-Wilhelm Welwei: ''Die Griechische Frühzeit'', C.H. Beck, München, 2002. {{ISBN|3406479855}}. pp. 12–18</ref>