The palace at Zakros is the fourth in terms of size, among the Minoan palaces .It was located at an advantageous strategic position, a protected bay, and was the centre of commercial exchange with the countries of the east, as it is indicated by the excavation finds (elephants, tusks, faience, copper etc.)It has two main building phases: the old palace was built in c. 1900 B .C. and the new one in c .1600 B .C. but was destroyed in 1450 B .C. along with the other centres of Minoan Crete . The palace and its annexes cover a total area of more than 8000 sq .m; it is estimated that in this area there were around 300 compartments –including the upper stores –of various functions.