Final answer:
The Minoan civilization was absorbed by the Mycenaeans, their more warlike neighbors to the north, who conquered Crete after a long period of coexistence and trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The civilization that likely absorbed the Minoans was the Mycenaeans. After a long period of coexistence during the Bronze Age, including shared trade and cultural exchanges, the Mycenaeans, who were known for being warlike and sea-going merchants and raiders, eventually conquered the Minoan civilization centered on Crete.
The Minoan civilization, with its rich culture and peaceful inclinations, experienced a decline, particularly starting in the early 1400s BCE. As the Mycenaeans to the north carried out a series of invasions, they effectively ended Minoan independence. However, the cultural influence did not end there, as Minoan artistic techniques, trade, and even their writing system, which contributed to Mycenaean record keeping known as Linear B, merged with Mycenaean influences, leading to a fusion that characterized Bronze-Age Greek culture.