Akrotiri - Santorini Greece's Prehistoric Archaeological Ruins

On the Greek Island of Santorini, there is Akrotiri, a prehistoric archaeological ruin site. Covered completely by volcanic ash in the 1600's BC, only a small part of this ancient city has been uncovered, but what they've found is astonishing. The site is mainly known for 2- and 3-storey buildings with a sewer system and indoor toilets. Many pots have been found, but no bodies so far. There is an idea perhaps they saw the volcano erupting and left in time. This site is still evolving as the archaeologists are still digging through the ash.

From the Akrotiri website - It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. The first habitation at the site dates from the Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millenium B.C.). During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millenium B.C.), a sizeable settlement was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity. The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations. Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt. The town's life came to an abrupt end in the last quarter of the 17th century B.C. when the inhabitants were obliged to abandon it as a result of severe earthquakes. The erruption followed. The volcanic materials covered the entire island and the town itself. These materials, however, have protected up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in Pompeii.
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351....

The House of the Ladies, the West House and The House of the Admiral are three of the most well-known areas of the site.

We visited as part of a tour of Santorini, but the ruins can be visited on your own and even by public transportation on the island.

#Greece #Travel #GreeceTravel #GreekRuins