Production and commodities

The lasting peace following on from the recapture of the island by the Byzantines created conditions for economic growth. Both privately owned farms and imperial estates were cultivated intensively. Corn, wine and dairy products - such as the "Cretan cheese" testified by Byzantine authors and soft athotyros - were the staples of the local economy, produced in large quantities and often exported. Activities known from earlier periods, such as the extraction of minerals, metals and rock, also continued. Salt production was probably also extensive, as was the timber trade. Numismatic finds, especially from the 12^th century, confirm the view of a flourishing economy on the island.