The Minoans
THE MINOANS Around 3000 BC the island of Crete was inhabited by a Mediterranean civilisation known as the Minoans, which suddenly disappeared in 1100 BC for reasons still unknown. It wasn't until the 20th with archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans' investigations that this ancient society was rediscovered. Minoans were essentially traders, getting influenced by other Mediterranean cultures (especially Egypt). Despite this, they are remembered because of a much highlighted aspect: Minoan Crete was the land of mythical King Minos, Princess Ariadne and Queen Pasiphae, mother of the Minotaur. COSTUMES Minoans were exposed to a Southern Mediterranean climate, but this wasn't as dry and hot as the Egyptian (it isn't as close to the Tropic of Cancer). Because of this, furs were used on colder days as coats and capes. Besides cloaks, other clothing items were commonly used by both genres: Cretans tried to achieve an hourglass figure by wearing padded leather belts or tight ones of