Mythology often contains elements that can be explained by phenomena of nature, or cultural practices, or rites.


Using what we discussed in class (as well as the information synthesized in this chapter), consider what you know about a) the natural disasters that befell Knossos and its neighboring island, Thera, and b) the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, explain:


1. how this myth may encode the story of a natural event,


and


2. how the traces of human sacrifice found at Knossos might point to underlying meaning in the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.


In a minimum of 5-7 sentences each, offer a thoughtful response. Also, consider WHY it might be important for people to encode such meanings into narratives that they pass down from generation to generation.