The ancient complex Knosses on Crete was discovered in 1878. For that time the ruins were used by local population as a site for construction material. But at closer examination, it appeared this site encompasses very old palaces of the time of at least 2000 BC. Here the legendary king Minos will have lived but a hard proof is lacking of course. Minoan civilisation has gone under, perhaps as a result of the huge volcano eruption of Thera (Santorini) in 1390 BC (Ref. Hammer ).

A part of the palaces has been restored, but this restoration says little about  how it looked like initially because there was little material left over. Nevertheless, it is interesting that the ruins contain a number of mysterious things. First there are the enormous block of stone which forms, fitted together  without cement, a wall. Had the Minoan palace been built on a much older construction work? Then, the complex knows a sophisticated fresh water and waist water system, similar to the system in Machu Picchu, as a result of which the inhabitants enjoyed cool water. And just like in the temple complex Tarxien on Malta we find here stones pots to, beside earthenware pitchers, of which it is unclear what their function is.