<P> The early palaces were destroyed during Middle Minoan II, sometime before c. 1700, almost certainly by earthquakes to which Crete is prone . By c. 1650, they had been rebuilt on a grander scale and the period of the second palaces (c. 1650--c. 1450) marks the height of Minoan prosperity . All the palaces had large central courtyards which may have been used for public ceremonies and spectacles . Living quarters, storage rooms and administrative centres were positioned around the court and there were also working quarters for skilled craftsmen . </P> <P> The palace of Knossos was considerably the largest, covering three acres with its main building alone and five acres when separate out - buildings are considered . It had a monumental staircase leading to state rooms on an upper floor . A ritual cult centre was on the ground floor . The palace stores occupied sixteen rooms, the main feature in these being the pithoi which were large storage jars up to five feet tall . They were mainly used for storage of oil, wool, wine and grain . Smaller and more valuable objects were stored in lead - lined cists . The palace had bathrooms, toilets and a drainage system . A theatre was found at Knossos that would have held 400 spectators (an earlier one has been found at Phaestos). The orchestral area was rectangular, unlike later Athenian models, and they were probably used for religious dances . </P> <P> Building techniques at Knossos were typical . The foundations and lower course were stonework with the whole built on a timber framework of beams and pillars . The main structure was built of large, unbaked bricks . The roof was flat with a thick layer of clay over brushwood . Internal rooms were brightened by light - wells and columns of wood, many fluted, were used to lend both support and dignity . The chambers and corridors were decorated with frescoes showing scenes from everyday life and scenes of processions . Warfare is conspicuous by its absence . The fashions of the time can be seen in depictions of women in various poses . They had elaborately dressed hair and wore long dresses with flounced skirts and puffed sleeves . Their bodices were tightly drawn in round their waists and their breasts were exposed . </P> <P> The prosperity of Knossos was primarily based upon the development of native Cretan resources such as oil, wine and wool . Another factor was the expansion of trade . Herodotus wrote that Minos, the legendary king of Knossos, established a thalassocracy (sea empire). Thucydides accepted the tradition and added that Minos cleared the sea of pirates, increased the flow of trade and colonised many Aegean islands . Archaeological evidence supports the tradition because Minoan pottery is widespread, having been found in Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Sicily and mainland Greece . There seem to have been strong Minoan connections with Rhodes, Miletus and Samos . Cretan influence can be seen in the earliest scripts found in Cyprus . The main market for Cretan wares was the Cyclades where there was a demand for pottery, especially the stone vases . It is not known if the islands were subject to Crete or just trading partners but there certainly was strong Cretan influence . </P>

What was the palace of knossos made out of