Minoan

Meanings

1. Of or relating to the civilization that developed in Crete from the neolithic period to the Bronze Age (about 3000-1050 B.C.E.).
2. Of or relating to the writing systems (Linear A and Linear B) used in Crete and later in mainland Greece.
3. Of or relating to the ancient language of the Minoans which died out by the beginning of the 1st millennium B.C.E.

1. A person who belonged to the Minoan civilization.

1. The language written in Linear A.

Etymology

Sir Arthur Evans, not knowing the Minoan term for “Minoan” at the time, coined this name in the early 20th century, from Ancient Greek Μίνως (Mínōs), the mythical king of Crete. The actual name is probably reflected in Egyptian kftjw (perhaps reconstructible as *Káftayu) and Biblical Hebrew כַּפְתּוֹר (Kaftor, “Caphthor”).