Minoans raw DNA - 6 samples in 23andme format

The Minoans, one of the earliest known advanced civilizations in Europe, flourished on the island of Crete and nearby islands from around 3000 BCE to 1400 BCE. Known for their maritime prowess, they established a society characterized by trade, artistry, and complex social organization. The Minoans were adept seafarers, establishing trade networks across the Mediterranean, and this contact brought cultural and material influences that they incorporated into their own society. Life in Minoan Crete was centered on large palace complexes, with the most famous being the palace of Knossos.

These palaces were not only royal residences but served as economic, administrative, and religious centers. The Minoans enjoyed a lifestyle rich in art, as evidenced by their colorful frescoes, depicting scenes of nature, religious ceremonies, and athletic events like bull-leaping.

 The Minoan language, known primarily from two scripts called Linear A and Cretan hieroglyphs, remains undeciphered, and so its relationship to known language families is still speculative. Scholars hypothesize that Minoan language belongs to a pre-Indo-European language group, possibly related to the languages of neolithic Anatolia. Genetic studies indicate that the Minoans had close ties to Neolithic populations of Anatolia, suggesting they were descended from early farming communities that spread across the Mediterranean. Culturally, the Minoans are particularly known for their distinctive pottery, which includes elaborate designs in vibrant colors, and their large storage jars, or "pithoi," used for storing grain, oil, and wine. Architecturally, Minoan buildings often featured multistory structures with sophisticated layouts, drainage systems, and open-air courtyards. Their architectural designs reveal advanced construction techniques and an affinity for spatial harmony, marking the Minoans as one of the most architecturally innovative societies of their time.