The term 'tholoi' covers almost all circular buildings, although the exact form of the roof is not always known. Minoan tholos tombs were the most typical and widespread type of family tomb in Minoan Crete for roughly a millennium. Tholos tombs have been found mainly in southern Crete, particularly on the Mesara plain. In the Agiopharango valley where extensive research has been carried out one or two tombs correspond to each settlement. The earliest date from the Late Neolithic period, and are situated on the slopes of the Asterousia mountains. Tholos tombs were built or reused in the Middle Minoan period (2000-1550 BC) and many were still used during the Late Bronze Age.

Tholos tombs are circular buildings of between 4 and 13 metres diameter. Their walls are thick and are built of large stones. The space between the stones was filled with mud. In the earliest examples, the walls were built on hewn rock. The stones were unworked on the outside but smoothened on the side that faced the interior of the tomb, making the wall completely flat. The entrance was always from the east indicating specific grave building practices. In some cases, the construction of the lintel reveals a distant relation with the characteristic triangle of the Mycenaean tholos tombs. The question of roof type has preoccupied researchers and still remains an unsolved problem.

Around the tombs antechambers, or rooms with an opening in the roof were built. These were either contemporary to the original building or later annexes which were used as ossuaries for the oldest graves. Some of these rooms may have been used for the cult of the dead as suggested by altars, food remains and cult objects. Such a cult scene is represented by a clay model from the Kamilari tomb.

Various theories have been presented concerning the origin of the architectural type of the tholos tombs. The tholos tombs of Crete seem to be the ancestors of the Mycenaean tholos tombs which developed differently. During Mycenaean rule, the Mycenaean type of tholos tomb, characterized by the relieving triangle, and the long dromos was widespread in Crete.