TOPICS

In the writing area, the visitor encounters 900 symbols carved into wood. The first forms of writing in the Aegean region appear as early as the 6th millennium BC, while around 2500 BC the presence of organized writing is recorded in Therasia and Rivari of Milos. From there, writing is transferred to Crete, evolving into Hieroglyphic and then into Linear A, from which Cypro-Minoan and Linear B derive. The experience concludes with the opportunity for the visitor to write their name in the first script of European civilization, the Greek Linear B.

In the space of the “Factory of Symbols and Ideas,” significant technological discoveries of the Aegean world are presented. From the pan-shaped vessels of the 3rd millennium BC, some of which appear to have functioned as pregnancy calculators, to the Minoan mechanism for calculating eclipses and the use of magnifying lenses, the creativity and technological innovation of the Minoans and Cycladics are highlighted.

The same section also presents the astronomical knowledge of prehistoric Aegean civilizations. On the pan-shaped vessels of the 3rd millennium, the synodic movements of the planets are recorded, with emphasis on Jupiter and Venus. Additionally, through rings and seals, Minoan astronomy is depicted, with characteristic references to Sirius and Orion.

In a separate section, the products of daily life are presented through symbols. Wine, oil, and grains are highlighted as essential goods that supported the survival and development of societies. Here, the visitor sees how the fruits of the earth were not only food but also symbols of prosperity, celebration, and spiritual power. These products were not only nourishment but also elements of trade, prosperity, and cultural identity.

Special reference is made to the sea voyages of Aegean civilizations. Thanks to their deep knowledge of astronomy and their ability to build ships up to 48 meters long, they managed to undertake open-sea journeys. Through these, they crossed the then-known world, spreading products, technologies, and cultural influences. The visitor can understand the decisive role the sea played in the expansion and development of Aegean civilization.