"The most complete acceptance of the grace of life the world has ever known"
Sir Leonard Woolley

In the early 20th century, Sir Arthur Evans discovered the city of Knossos in Crete - and with it a civilisation of unimagined magnificence. As a man of his time, he assumed this to be a palace culture ruled over by King Minos, naming its people the Minoans.

The real story is more sensational. Minoans created a joyous, artistic, egalitarian culture in tune with nature and advanced in agriculture, architecture, town planning, law, government, seafaring and religion. Kalymnos was likely part of that world.

All the evidence shows that its main characteristics were:
 Social equality – no social group dominated another or accumulated massive wealthSexual equality – women held authority and status but not matriarchal power over menSexual expression – a healthy delight in sexuality, rather than repression, which would contribute to lack of tension, aggression and rigid role expectation for both sexesPeace – there is no sign of warfare and conflict was clearly not considered inevitableLove of life – the celebration of life and belief in rebirth were far stronger than any fear of death, although life’s dark side was acknowledgedHarmony with nature – art and images show a joy and reverence for the natural worldSpirituality – the powers of life, death, rebirth and renewal were associated with the female through symbols, priestesses and probably a great mother goddessCommunity – people lived in mutual support rather than separation and isolationArtistic expression – in pottery, bronze and gold, sculpture, dance and ritual drama, breathtaking paintings with themes of nature and regeneration

Today, thousands visit the partly reconstructed ruins of Knossos. They feel something special but may not know the full beauty, spirit and joy that wait to be reclaimed. We have only lived in alienation from nature, each other and our true selves, with patriarchy and fear-based religions, for the last 3,500 years – a mere heartbeat in human existence.

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