Wall paintings from Knossos and Thera show that the Minoans and their island neighbours were accomplished sailors; the abundance of exuberant marine decoration on pottery reinforces this impression.
The distribution of Minoan material shows that even before 1600 BC overseas trade stretched far afield. The Minoans were interested in acquiring metal ores for everyday and luxury objects - their gold jewellery shows a mastery of delicate technique and superlative design - as well as various semi-precious stones for making vessels, ivory for manufacturing decorations and furniture inlays, and various exotica such as ostrich eggs.
In exchange Crete could offer agricultural produce including wine and olive oil, timber and fine craft objects, such as wheel-made pottery. Paintings in Egyptian tombs depict Cretans bearing gifts, clad in the cod-piece familiar from their own art; the accompanying text identifies them as 'men of Keftiu'.
