Stories from Akrotiri:  A Day in Life of a Minoan Girl in the Prehistoric (Minoan) Town

Show &Tell #5: Girls & Bathtub
Stories from Akrotiri: A Day in Life of a Minoan Girl in the Prehistoric (Minoan) Town

Unlike in mainland Greece of that era, a Minoan girl is welcome to choose an active life that may include chariot-driving and, as some theories say, bull-leaping (which was really an acrobatic art and/or ritual, not a violent sport). Frescoes show us Minoan ladies in the front row of every public event, socializing and enjoying themselves—or even leading religious ceremonies as head priestesses.

A Minoan girl is perfumed and elegantly dressed and has a collection of beautiful jewelry (no matter her economic situation), such as hoop earrings, elaborate necklaces, and ankle bracelets. At home, she walks barefoot, though outside she would wear shoes to protect her feet. She also puts on lipstick and other kinds of make-up, and paints her nails, and maybe even dyes her hair. A teenage girl, though, would wear her hair partially shaved until marriage, leaving just a few locks hanging down:

Stories from Akrotiri: A Day in Life of a Minoan Girl in the Prehistoric (Minoan) Town

As archaeological evidence would suggest, the Minoan fashion celebrates color, curves, and femininity; the dresses are rich, with a lot of drapery, and have wide belts that are stretch around the waist. Completing the look is stylish, almost Parisian hats.

A Minoan girl is well-versed not only in sewing or cloth-spinning but also in board games such as the so-called “zatrikio” (the rules of which remain to be deciphered). Outdoors, she would be involved in the gathering of saffron, the “red gold” of the spice world. She is a skilled and enthusiastic dancer, which is her way of expressing herself to the world.

Her house has simple and practical furniture, but lavishly decorated walls, covered in frescoes that reflect her family’s station. It is cool during the summer and warm during the winter, with mobile braziers and lamps for the rooms that are not naturally illuminated. All thanks to the advanced indoor plumbing, she can enjoy a scented bath after a day’s hard work. For dinner, just like modern Greek girls, she can enjoy some delicious souvlaki (small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer; usually eaten straight off the skewer while still hot).

So, we may have no way of talking to her directly, but her spirit still lives on our island.