What Brought Down the Minoan Civilization?

The ruins of the Minoan Civilization were found by archaeologists working on Greek islands in the Aegean Sea more than a century ago. They discovered that the Minoans weren't simply any old people, but rather the first completely developed civilization in Europe as they continued their exploration. They possessed a writing system, exquisite art, enormous palaces, and even plumbing by 1800 BC. The Minoans were at the forefront of civilisation in Europe, but by the middle of the 15th century BC, they had begun to endure a severe decline that ultimately brought about the demise of their entire society. This raised the question, "What led to the decline of the Minoan Civilization?"

Thera Island, or Santorini as we now refer to it, saw a cataclysmic volcanic eruption that was long thought to be the cause. However, it was later revealed by archaeologists that Minoan life continued after that, indicating that there must have been another reason. Others have maintained that the eruption also brought about significant tsunamis that devastated the islands and that it changed the climate, causing years and years of chilly, rainy summers that resulted in poor crops.

There is no question that the volcano erupted, but some academics contend that a significant earthquake caused the Minoan palaces to collapse. A fourth theory, however, contends that the Minoans' civilisation was destroyed by mainland Greek invasions, particularly those led by the Mycenaeans, and not by forces of nature. The first truly great civilization in Europe may have been brought down by one of these factors alone or by a combination of factors.