Assessment Questions 10.10

1. When was Crete intentionally settled, and what kind of food base did the settlers bring with them in the ninth millennium B.P.?

Crete was intentionally settled in the ninth millennium B.P. by people who brought their Neolithic food base with them. This food base included emmer and bread wheat, along with sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle, none of which are native to the island.

2. What does the archaeological excavation of Neolithic Crete reveal about the early farming practices on the island?

The archaeological excavation of Neolithic Crete reveals the presence of emmer and bread wheat, as well as sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. This indicates the adoption of farming practices by the Neolithic population of Crete.

3. What is the significance of the genomic analysis in understanding the relationship between the ancient people of Minoan Crete and Greece?

The genomic analysis reveals a close biological relationship between the ancient people of Minoan Crete and the Mycenaean people of ancient Greece. It also traces three-quarters of their shared ancestry to western Turkey and the general area around the Aegean Sea, providing insights into the population dynamics and migrations in the region.