We’ll try one answer/question out for size. Remember, your answer must be in the form of a question (for today only). Today’s category: Ancient Civilizations for 300 points. This civililization was one of the first on the Italian Peninsula. They also invented the arch.
Who are the Minoans?
I’m going to saw Rome…
What are the Neolthic cultures on the Italianic penninsula at 5000 BC, or the Etruscans, depending on wether you mean the first people or culture. 
*Originally posted by Meli W. *
**I’m going to saw Rome… **
But in actualilty the Sumerians invented the arch, but they lived in Mesoopotamia
…exactly… that’s what confuses me.
There are examples of arches being used by civilizations far older than any found on the Italian peninsula. The Romans, based on what they learned from the Etruscans, brought arches out into public view, however.
Believers in the civilization of Atlantis – commonly associated with the Minoan civilization – argue that their knowledge of arches and vaults was spread about the world through cultural diffusion after the destruction of Atlantis.
I guess it all depends on who’s history you’re reading.
Or if your reading some wacko’s history he would say that arches were invented by outer space colonies who came down and taught our primitive ancestors all their ways.
But that’s just freaky…
*Originally posted by JosephM *
**What are the Neolthic cultures on the Italianic penninsula at 5000 BC, or the Etruscans, depending on wether you mean the first people or culture.
Those neolithic countries would be the Umbrians, Ligurians, and Sabines…
Although many other cultures are given credit for inventing the arch, generally the Greeks are given credit for modernizing it.
So… my answer would be “What are the Greeks?”
What is Erosion?
Come on, I’m sure some guy was standing out on the beach, saw how erosion had carved out a hole in an out crop of soft shale and formed an archish shape and said ‘Hey, thats pretty cool, I’ll call it the Arch’.
The rest were just copycats.
-Andy A.
You all make valid points (even Andy’s erosion comment), but most history books will relate the earliest arches to the Romans taking it from the Etruscans. I checked my sources numerous times, and no other answers are as early as that, and even my Jeopardy book (yes, I have one of those) will agree. So Joseph, here’s your 300 points.
*Originally posted by EddieMcD *
**You all make valid points (even Andy’s erosion comment), but most history books will relate the earliest arches to the Romans taking it from the Etruscans. I checked my sources numerous times, and no other answers are as early as that, and even my Jeopardy book (yes, I have one of those) will agree. So Joseph, here’s your 300 points. **
I have a very highly regarded architectural history book that would disagree