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The most exciting and impressive of the museum’s displays are the lively, colourful frescoes from Knosos, Agia Triada and other palaces. They seem to offer a real link between the past and present.

The elaborately painted stone coffin is adorned with depictions of animal sacrifices, a funeral procession, women and goddesses riding chariots pulled by slaves and mythical beasts. It was perhaps made for a Minoan ruler.

The secret of this clay disc, embossed with symbols believed to be the earliest example of a form of printing, has yet to be revealed. The hieroglyphics on the disc, which was found at Phaestos in 1903, are the earliest known Minoan script.

This 16th-century BC wine vessel is carved from black steatite stone and has gilded horns, rock crystal eyes and a mother-of-pearl snout. It was discovered at Knosos and probably used in ritual.

Found at Knosos, the figures carry a snake in either hand, as do some later depictions of the goddess Astarte, suggesting some continuity between ancient Crete and later Hellenic cultures.

With its dark pattern of reeds painted on a lighter background, the graceful pottery jug is the finest example of work from the New Palace era (1700–1450 BC).

Gold necklaces, rings, earrings, seals, sword hilts and helmets are among the treasure trove of finds from Knosos, Phaestos and Gortys.

Glazed tiles, each depicting multi-storey buildings of the Minoan era, were originally part of a mural decoration which may have graced the wall of a palace.

A decorative gaming board, elaborately inlaid and decorated with rock crystal, gold and silver leaf, turquoise paste and ivory, shows that ancient Crete had a wealthy, leisured class as well as trade links with other ancient civilizations.

Doll-like figurines of people and animals look like toys but are believed to have had a religious purpose as votive offerings. Most were found in mountain sanctuaries and caves, such as the Diktian (Psychro) Cave (see Diktian Cave).