Crete is considered poor in metals. Its few mineral resources were not found by the Minoans. Therefore, copper was by necessity imported from countries where systematic mining had already begun. In fact, Cyprus which was one of the most significant producers of copper in Antiquity, is thought to have been Minoan Crete's main supplier. But the quest for tin, a particularly scarce raw material, led the Minoans to trade even farther afield, in inland Asia Minor and Afghanistan. Thus, the search for metals stimulated international trade and led to the importation of other raw materials. Moreover, the Minoans acquired knowledge of processing techniques.

The first metallurgical activities in the Aegean area begin during the Final Neolithic period (3500 BC). The first metal used was a soft alloy of copper, arsenic and lead. Later, about the beginning of the fourth millenium, bronze was used, an alloy of copper and tin which could make stronger objects. Bronze was first used in Crete in the Early Minoan II period (2600-2300 BC).