Middle Minoan pottery reflects the new, increased demands of
the palatial society in quantity and quality. The way ceramics of this period
were made and distributed depended directly on the centralized economy of that time
during which almost all products were re-distributed via the palatial centres.
The increased importance of pottery in economy is reflected in the depictions of
vessels on Middle Minoan seals which were also interpreted as scenes of
In the palace workshops where the most important styles of the Middle Minoan pottery where developed, potters exchanged ideas and constantly improved their products to perfection. The rulers of the palaces and the higher social classes seemed to prefer the impressive, sophisticated works of art which confirmed their social prestige. Thus, there is a great difference between the quality and sophistication of the palace workshops and those of the non-palatial workshops. The artistic creations of the local workshops often imitated palatial works of art.
The rapid development of ceramic styles, and the standardization of certain products
are characteristic of Middle Minoan pottery. The significant improvement in the
quality of the pottery is associated with the important technological innovations which
took place in this period.
The introduction of the potter's wheel in Crete during the
Middle Minoan IB period (1930-1800 BC) contributed to the production of a greater number of
vases of improved quality.
Middle Minoan pottery distinguished itself not only for aesthetically but also for the type of ceramics. The population increase during the Middle Bronze Age led to a considerable increase in ceramic production and to new usages. Cooking pots and tableware were still produced, but storage vessels and jars appropriate for carrying liquids were also made. During the Middle Minoan period (2000-1550 BC) there clay larnakes and pithoi became more common in burials and a greater variety of ceramics for ritual use appears.
A very important element in the history of the Middle Minoan civilization
is the established presence of Middle Minoan pottery in other civilizations.
A series of Kamares ware finds in Egypt reveals a Minoan presence in Egypt during the
12th and 13th dynasty. That there were cultural exchanges with Egypt is also demonstrated
by a number of Egyptian objects on Cretan soil. During the same period there was also contact
with the East, as the presence of Middle Minoan pottery in Ugarit reveals. Although these
exchanges makes dating problematic, they do prove that Middle Minoan pottery
was already flourishing in the 19th century BC.