What is distinctive about Minoan architecture in comparison to ancient architecture of Egypt and the Near East?
Differences abound between Minoan architecture and that of Egypt. The Minoans, to begin with, had no real order or structure to their architectural designs. Rooms were cobbled together according to the contours of the landscape. In Egyptian architecture, rooms were set up in specific orders, each room increasingly smaller and more sacred. Also, rooms were often nested for a greater sense of security. This was not the case for Minoan architecture. Their buildings had multiple entrances and open spaces. Another difference is that Minoan architecture had no sacred spaces. There were no temples, sanctuaries, or burial chambers. Egyptian architecture had entire buildings and complexes that dealt with nothing but honoring the dead and the sacred. Egyptian structures were often long, and fairly basic in layout. Minoan structures went in multiple directions and had no set layout. Minoans were also very much ahead of their time with the use of indoor plumbing in their structures. Egyptians did
