In the history of the lost Minoan civilization, a “star path” was found

(ORDO NEWS) — Research by a team led by archaeologist Alessandro Berio has unearthed previously unknown facts about an ancient Minoan civilization believed to have perished due to a powerful earthquake.

Scientists have found that the palaces were built in a strict orientation to the location of the stars, and trade sea routes copied the lines between the stars.

The work suggests that the ancient Minoans actively used navigation based on the use of the “star track”.

The well-being of this civilization was based precisely on trade. To successfully trade, ancient navigators needed excellent navigation. The Minoans were a Bronze Age Aegean civilization that flourished from 2600 to 1100 BC.

Its center was the island of Crete. It got its name in honor of Minos, who reigned in Knossos. In Greek mythology, this civilization is associated with Theseus, the labyrinth and the Minotaur.

In a new study, archaeologists examined the orientation of the palaces. It turned out that all large rectangular central courtyards were oriented along the long axis from north to south.

Moreover, the axis was oriented to the sunrise or sunset of the most important stars from the point of view of navigation.

It was she who, according to the authors of the work, helped the sailors navigate the trade routes from the Levant to Egypt.

The study suggests that the Minoans used “stellar paths” to navigate, similar to how the ancient Polynesians used linear constellations to navigate.

A striking example of such a “star path” archaeologists call the star Spica in the constellation Virgo.

Comparing the celestial lines emanating from it with ancient sea routes, scientists came to the conclusion that Spica, for example, was an alternate route that connected Knossos – the largest Minoan palace – with the important trading center Sidon, located on the territory of modern Lebanon.

Another “star route” archaeologists have identified in the route that led from the Minoan trading center of Kato Zakro to the ancient city of Pelusium at the mouth of the Nile.

New discoveries point not only to the sophisticated navigational abilities of the Minoans, but also to the fact that they probably had navigational instruments like a compass or astrolabe.

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