Britannica Sources used in this answer

What materials did Minoan builders use for palace walls and floors?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map of the Aegean region highlighting principal archaeological sites associated with ancient Aegean civilizations around 1250 BCE. The map shows mainland Greece, western Anatolia, and numerous islands in the Aegean Sea, with key locations such as Mycenae, Knossos, Troy, and Athens labeled. — Aegean civilizations Principal sites associated with Aegean civilizations.

Minoan builders utilized a variety of materials to construct and decorate their palaces. For interior wall surfaces, they employed fresco painting, which involved applying water-based pigments onto wet plaster to create durable, vibrant murals. These walls were often decorated with elaborate scenes of nature, animals, and religious rituals, sometimes featuring panels of painted relief.12

Regarding structural elements and fixtures, the palaces featured high-quality materials such as gypsum, which was notably used for the throne in the throne room at Knossos. For their advanced sanitary and plumbing systems, Minoans utilized marble or terra-cotta to construct baths. Additionally, the Minoans' status as skilled seafarers allowed them to import and incorporate a rich variety of materials for both building and ornamentation, including precious metals like gold, silver, and bronze, as well as carved ivories.12