The Minoans: The Ancestors of Modern Cretans

August 1, 2022October 25, 2024 / Rei Arkangelakis / 10 Comments

Through the use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of dental remains, Greek and American researchers have made strides in pinpointing the connection between modern Cretans and the “Cretans” of long ago. While this was discovered in 2013, I only just came across this information. Two years prior to that fated day, when I was in Crete walking around Knossos, I half-jokingly asked my aunt if we can be related to the Minoans. “Όχι βέβαια,” (of course not) she replied with a chuckle. But as far as I knew, my maternal side was Cretan: my mom, my grandma, my great-grandma, my great-great grandma… you get the point. So, the idea was not too far-fetched, especially now with a scientific backing.

^{a photo of a reimagined Minoan performance by Minoan Theater}

Mitochondria and Maternal Ancestry

Mitochondria are the energetic powerhouses of cells, which are comprised of their own genetic code (DNA). mtDNA in particular is passed down from mothers, not fathers, virtually unchanged to their kids. So, by utilizing this type of analysis, researchers are able to reveal information about maternal ancestry with great accuracy.

The Minoans are Europeans and are also related to present-day Cretans – on the maternal side.
-Dr. Stamatoyannopoulos, University of Washington Professor of Medicine & Genome Sciences

A Minoan skull - Image from Open Edition Journals — ^{A Minoan skull – Image from Open Edition Journals}

Understanding Our Past: The Ancient Cretan and Modern Cretan/European Connection

The findings point to Minoans being the descendants of the first people to reach Crete nine millennia ago. In fact, they have an uncanny genetic similarity to the Europeans of today.

Dr. Stamatoyannopoulos, one of the authors of “A European population in Minoan Bronze Age Crete” (www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2871) expands on this:

There was an extensive migration of Neolithic humans from the regions of Anatolia that today comprise parts of Turkey and the Middle East. At the same time, the first Neolithic inhabitants reached Crete. Our mitochondrial DNA analysis shows that the Minoan’s strongest genetic relationships are with these Neolithic humans, as well as with ancient and modern Europeans. These results suggest the Minoan civilization arose 5,000 years ago in Crete from an ancestral Neolithic population that had arrived in the region about 4,000 years earlier. Our data suggests that the Neolithic population that gave rise to the Minoans also migrated into Europe and gave rise to modern European peoples.

Lasithi Plateau, Crete, Greece location - Screenshot from Goog — ^{Lasithi Plateau, Crete, Greece location – Screenshot from Google Maps}

The Specifics

So, we know the research team deciphered DNA of ancient teeth, but there’s definitely more to it. Along with his research team, Dr. Stamatoyannopoulos conducted sample analyses from 37 different skeletons that were found in a Cretan cave in the Lassithi plateau. They then compared those with mtDNA sequences from 135 modern and ancient populations alike.

The Minoan samples had 21 distinct mitochondrial DNA variations. Six were Minoan-specific whereas 15 were shared with modern and ancient people. None of the Minoans had mitochondrial DNA variations of African populations, so this debunks the once-popular belief that Minoans had completely African origins. However, upon further analysis, the Minoans were still related to Egyptian and Libyan populations, albeit remotely so. The largest percentage of shared mtDNA variations was with European populations.

From low to high (when it comes to shared Minoan mitochondrial DNA variations): North Africa, the Middle East, Mediterranean islands, Southern Europe, mainland Europe, and the Neolithic populations from Southern Europe, especially Crete. To get even more geographically specific: the current Cretans of the Lassithi plateau (Eastern Crete). That really was the most fascinating finding as I read through the research paper and several articles: ancient Minoan maternal mtDNA is still very much present in current residents of the Lassithi plateau!

Arthur Evans’ speculations of the Minoans actually being ancient Egyptian refugees (having non-European origins in general) were clearly just that. The Minoans were, as some say, a “locally-sourced” group of people.

Lasithi Plateau, Crete, Greece view - Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Haloorange — ^{Lasithi Plateau, Crete, Greece view – Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Haloorange}

Sources

BBC: DNA Reveals Origin of Greece’s Ancient Minoan Culture
A European Population in Minoan Bronze Age Crete

Ancient Cretan Women’s Fashion: Dressing Like a Minoan

July 27, 2022October 25, 2024 / Rei Arkangelakis / 22 Comments

The Fashion-Savvy People of Minoan Crete

Between the beautiful frescoes that adorned palace walls and unique statuettes, we can get a solid idea of Minoan women’s fashion sense. As with most fabrics, they’ve long disintegrated; however, some linen (potentially imported from Egypt) was found in a tomb from the Pre-Palatial Period at the site of Mochlos. Speaking of Egypt, considerable evidence of Minoan attire stemmed from their detailed depictions. For instance, at Thebes (Egypt’s capital during the 18^th Dynasty), there were numerous frescoes found of “Aegean foreigners” from Keftiu (what Egyptians called Crete).

^{Minoan Style Replicas: Reconstruction of the Clothes of Women from the Minoan Era in Crete by Dr. Bernice Jones}

What Clothing Minoan Women (and Some Men) Wore

Three words come to mind when it comes to Minoan women’s attire: elaborate, vibrant, and multilayered. Long skirts with girdles encircling the waist and bare-breasted bodices were a staple. But due to that aforementioned multilayered nature, let’s break it down at bit:

^{More Minoan style replicas by Dr. Bernice Jones}

Mother Snake Goddess - Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Olaf Tausch — ^{Mother Snake Goddess – Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Olaf Tausch}

^{Minoan Snake Goddess from Walters Art Museum (Wikimedia Commons)}

Polychromatic, Decorative Skirts

Typically flounced (in later periods) and ankle-length, their skirts usually had pleats, ribbons, fringes—you name it. Other key features include: multi-layered, bell-shaped, and horizontal ruffles that sometimes widened on the way down. Alternatively, there were dresses with a v-shape, wrap-type style. Sheer veils were also sometimes incorporated.

Hand-Woven Open Bodices

Akin to “cardigans”, the sleeves were typically short or went halfway down the arms. Their often uncovered breasts signified fertility. On occasion, you’ll see tassels dangling from the sleeves in frescoes. Also on occasion, bodices curve into a high collar behind the nape of the neck.

Exquisitely Adorned, Waist-Slendering Belts

These belts remind me of the traditional Cretan costume I would wear during my Greek dance performances: wide, long, and intricately decorated. And they were tied super tight; I couldn’t wait to untie that thing after those performances.

Elegant Quilted Aprons

Worn over their long skirts on the front (or both sides), it is also similar to traditional Cretan attire. Much like the belts, the attention to detail on the aprons was evident.

Fancy Hats or Tiaras

Women in power or priestesses would wear high head-dresses, hats with various patterns, or even tiaras. Every day head pieces looked a bit like thick headbands that sometimes where tied at the top of the head.

Practical Undergarments

The low-rise bloomer (anasyrida) somewhat resembled a white sack with two holes in the bottom for each leg to go through. Over that, they wore flowing shorts that are basically “athletic shorts” formed by the double-apron joining the center of the backside apron with the center of the front side.

What Accessories & Cosmetics Minoan Women Wore

Just like their clothing, Minoan women’s jewelry was elaborate as well. The main materials used were gold, metal, precious stones, or even bone, and they were sometimes stitched on. Aesthetics were clearly of central focus in Minoan civilization and there was a lot to it, so let’s take a look at each aspect individually:

Golden Minoan Necklace - Photo by Wikimedia Commons User Apeto — ^{Golden Minoan Necklace – Photo by Wikimedia Commons User Apeto}

One of the "Ladies in Blue". Photo by Wikimedia Commons User Carole Raddato — ^{One of the “Ladies in Blue”.} ^{Photo by Wikimedia Commons User Carole Raddato}

Gold bee pendant. Photo by Wikimedia Commons User Syrio — ^{Gold bee pendant. Photo by Wikimedia Commons User} ^Syrio

"Ariadne of Knossos" by DeviantArt user plt25 — ^{“Ariadne of Knossos” by DeviantArt user plt25}

The Early “Grecian-style” Sandal

Minoan women wore fitted sandals with high straps (similar to what the later Ancient Greeks wore) and short boots. Within homes and sanctuaries, they were barefoot.

Fine Jewelry

As mentioned, the Minoans crafted jewelry out of an array of high-quality, usually imported materials, including metal and precious stones (among them: gold, silver, carnelian, and amethyst). Spherical beads called psifoi were also made from faience (glazed ceramic). The kinds of jewelry seemed all-inclusive, from pendants, armbands, and necklaces, to bracelets and anklets.

Extravagant Hairstyles

With emphasis on aesthetic beauty, it’s no surprise that Minoan women took great care of their face, body, and hair. One of their hairstyles featured a bun with small curls on the forehead and curled sideburns. For a more striking look, curled pieces of hair with secured/decorated with pins, beads, and floral-shaped clips. At times, they accentuated their look with bright ribbons, stylish nets, diadems (a bejeweled crown or headband), or hats.

Skincare

Many excavations point to olive oil being used topically to hydrate skin and give their tresses an unmatched sheen. This beauty “secret” is still used to this day.

Essential Oils and Perfume

Essential oils and perfume were extracted from plants like rose, nutmeg, anise, coriander, honey, and wine. Perfume-making workshops have been discovered at the several palaces, including Zakros, where excavators found amphorae with perfume residues as well as listings of aromatic plants.

Distinct Make-up

Their typical look was high-contrast, with a pale face (achieved by the application of white powder) as well as red lips, blushed cheeks, and red nails. The iconic feature of their make-up regimen was painting their eyelids with black paint, which was reminiscent of the Egyptian cat-eye.

*Click here to see my attempts at Minoan-inspired looks, mostly working with what I already had.