Minoan culture flourished on the island of Crete from approximately 2000 to 1450 BCE. It is known for its advanced architecture, including the grand palace complexes at Knossos, which featured intricate frescoes and sophisticated drainage systems. The Minoans were skilled artisans, producing pottery, jewelry, and textiles, and they engaged in extensive trade with neighboring civilizations. The Minoans had a unique writing system known as Linear A, which remains undeciphered. Their society is believed to have been matriarchal, with a strong emphasis on religious practices centered around nature and fertility. The decline of Minoan culture is thought to be linked to natural disasters and invasions by the Mycenaeans.