4The Knossos Archaeological Site in Crete

Many historians consider the Minoan city of Knossos to be Europe’s oldest. It was founded in the late Neolithic. At its peak, around 1700 BCE, Knossos is estimated to have boasted a population of 100 thousand. To put this into perspective, London didn’t grow large enough to hold a population of 100 thousand until 1500 CE.

Today, you can wander through the partially reconstructed palace at the center of this ancient city. The palace complex is a maze of passageways and contains frescoes and carvings that indicate bull worship. An ornate Minoan drinking vessel (rhyton) has been recovered in the shape of a bull’s head with long, golden horns.