Exploring the Validity of the Statement that the Eruption of Thera Caus

Minoan Crete was a civilization experiencing great amicable and scotch prosperity during its zenith around the time kn make as late(a) Minoan 1 (LM 1) (Sheppard Baird 2009). in time the Minoan population ended utterly and seemingly simultaneously 430 years later, this left archeologists and historians searching for the cause (Castleden 1990, 143). The important reason archaeologists are studying the reason for the down go is because if a interpret was known, a more precise historical timescale could be produced that would give a more accurate chronology of ancient hi allegory during this time (Barber 1990, 221). Ever since Sir Arthur Evans create the concept of the Minoan civilisation, there have been many proposed reasons for the downfall, each with their own evidence and supporters (Sheppard Baird 2009). It was in 1939 that Syridon Marinatos, a leading 20th century archaeologist of Crete, initially suggested that the venthole Thera was the reason for the Minoans demise ( Castleden 1990, 143). Many more hypotheses as to what caused the destruction have stemmed from this initial thought, such as tsunamis, economic and agricultural decline as well as foreign invasion. However due to advances in science and further studies into Thera and the Minoans history, this volcano no longer seemed the only plausible cause for the disappearance of Minoan Civilisation (Sheppard Baird 2009). Thera was located on the present day island of Santorini, 120 km north of Crete, and for hundreds of years there was little to no activity. It wasnt until threesome and a half thousand years ago when the historic boot occurred (Cecil 2011)(Ancient Greece org 2010). There were three phases to the eruption, first pumice was ejected which covered Akrotiri in a layer rang... ...h a new view of the Palace of Minos at Knossos, Routledge, London. Cecil J., 2011The fall of the Minoan civilization , BBC-History , BBC http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/minoan_01.shtml acces sed 30 April 2012. Hood S., 1971The Minoans the story of bronzy Age Crete, Praeger Publishers, Michigan. MacDonald C. Driessen J., 1997The Troubled Island Minoan Crete before and after the Santorini eruption, Universit de Lige, Histoire de lart et archologie de la Grce antique. Platon N. 1966Crete, Archaeologia Mundi series, Frederick Muller Limited, London. Pyle D.M, 1989Thera and the Aegean world III, Ther Thera Foundation, London. Sheppard Baird W., 2009The Bronze Age Eruption of Santorini and Late Minoan IB Destruction Event , Minoan Atlantis http//www.minoanatlantis.com/LM_IB_Destruction.php accessed 30 April 2012.