Final answer:
The Minoans produced olive oil and wine, traded goods with neighboring civilizations, and were renowned for their artisanal crafts, including ceramics and bronze work. They harnessed natural resources and engaged in extensive seafaring trade, with their palace complexes as central hubs of economy and administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Minoans utilized the natural resources around them to create a variety of goods and supplies, showcasing their sophisticated use of materials and extensive trade network. The Minoans were skilled at cultivating olives and grapes, producing olive oil and wine that were in high demand, facilitating trade across the ancient world. Their sea-based trade included the exchange of silver, scented oil, and pottery for raw materials from places such as Egypt.
The Minoans were also known for their artisanal crafts, such as ceramics which were considered a high art form on Crete. Raw materials for crafts were often imported, as evidenced by the use of faience, a material that was brought from Egypt to Crete to create Minoan sculptures. Additionally, bronze was a significant material in Minoan culture, used for crafting tools and figurines, often by the lost-wax casting technique. These activities were centered around their palace complexes, which served as economic, administrative, and religious hubs.