Akrotiri description and photos - Greece: Santorini Island (Thira) (Topic)

Akrotiri description and photos - Greece: Santorini Island (Thira). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Akrotiri.

Photo and description

During archaeological excavations near the modern village of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean Sea was discovered. The real name of this settlement is not known to historians.

The earliest finds discovered during excavations indicate the presence of a settlement here as early as the 4th millennium BC. Akrotiri is associated with the Minoan civilization due to the use of Linear A (a type of Cretan script) and the close similarity of artifacts and fresco style.

The settlement developed rapidly and around the 20th and 17th centuries BC. here arose one of the main urban centers and ports of the Aegean Sea. The city covered about 20 hectares and was equipped with sophisticated drainage and sewerage systems and multi-storey buildings (discovered during excavations), which preserved magnificent wall paintings, furniture, household utensils and much more. Also, many objects imported from outside (from Crete, mainland Greece, Syria, Egypt, Cyprus, etc.) were discovered, which indicates well-developed trade relations.

It is assumed that at the end of the 17th centuries, residents began to gradually leave the city due to the frequent earthquakes. After a violent volcanic eruption, around 1500 BC, the city was completely buried under a layer of volcanic rocks and ash, which allowed it, however, to survive perfectly to our time. During the excavations, no unburied remains of people were found, which suggests a timely evacuation.

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Topic: Akrotiri description and photos - Greece: Santorini Island (Thira).