At a glance
- When
- about 3100 to 1100 BCE
- Where
- Crete
- Entries in our catalogue
- 103 (74 individual genomes)
- Countries of the finds
- 1
What ancient DNA shows
A 2017 study in Nature found that at least three quarters of Minoan ancestry came from the first Neolithic farmers of western Anatolia and the Aegean, with most of the rest related to ancient populations of the Caucasus and Iran.
Unlike the Mycenaeans on the mainland, the Minoans studied carried little or no steppe ancestry. Later research found that marriages between cousins were unusually common in Bronze Age Crete and the Aegean.
Their genetic legacy today
The same study found that present-day Greeks share most of their ancestry with the Minoans and Mycenaeans, with later additions.
Minoans samples in the MYDNATLAS catalogue
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 103 entries whose culture label names the Minoans. 74 of them are individual genomes; the others are reference entries, such as averages of several individuals, and samples flagged as outliers. Half of the 103 dated entries fall between 2,100 BCE and 1,275 BCE, with a median of 1,818 BCE.
Where they were found
| Country | Entries |
|---|---|
| Greece | 103 |
Most common labels
| Label | Entries |
|---|---|
| Minoan (Lasithi Plateau, Crete, Greece) | 31 |
| Minoan (Late Minoan Chania, Crete, Greece) | 30 |
| Minoan (Greece) | 9 |
| Minoan (Lasithi, Crete, Greece) | 7 |
| Minoan (Aposelemis, Heraklion, Crete, Greece) | 4 |
| Minoan (Moni Odigitria, southern Crete, Greece) | 4 |
Measured from the live catalogue on 2026-10-17. Dates are those recorded for each entry; the archaeological dates of the culture are given above. See our data sources for where the samples come from.
Compare your DNA with the Minoans
To see how close you sit to Minoans samples, you need your DNA as G25 coordinates. Download your raw data file from your testing company, convert it, and MYDNATLAS compares your coordinates with these entries and the rest of the catalogue, period by period, in its closest population and mixture tools.
- Download your raw DNA file: step by step for each testing company.
- Upload it from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage or FamilyTreeDNA, or another supported provider.
- Explore the results with the period by period breakdown and closest populations.
Start free: browse the Population Encyclopedia. The Population Encyclopedia is free to browse with a free account; analysing your own DNA needs a paid plan.
Questions
How many Minoans samples does MYDNATLAS hold?
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 103 entries labelled as Minoans, of which 74 are individual genomes; the rest are reference entries such as group averages, and flagged outliers. Figures measured 2026-10-17.
Where were the Minoans samples found?
They come from 1 country, most often Greece. Half of the dated entries fall between 2,100 BCE and 1,275 BCE.
Were the Minoans African or European?
Neither label fits well. Ancient DNA shows Minoans descended mostly from Neolithic farmers of Anatolia and the Aegean, with additional ancestry from the Caucasus and Iran. They are close to the Mycenaeans and to present-day Greeks.