Archaeological site of Akrotiri in Santorini Greece

Akrotiri located in the southwestern part of the island of Santorini in Greece, at a distance of 15 kilometers from Fira the capital of the island. The archaeological site of Akrotiri is one of the best preserved prehistoric settlements in Greece.

The site, often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” provides a unique glimpse into the ancient Minoan civilization, which thrived during the Bronze Age. Its importance lies not only in its well-preserved state but also in the rich insights it offers into the culture, economy, and daily life of its inhabitants.

Akrotiri was a flourishing settlement from the mid-third millennium BCE until its destruction in the 17th century BCE by a catastrophic volcanic eruption. This eruption is considered one of the largest in recorded history and had far-reaching effects on the surrounding regions, including the collapse of the Minoan civilization on Crete. The town was buried under thick layers of volcanic ash, which preserved its buildings, frescoes, and artifacts remarkably well.

Excavations at Akrotiri began in the late 19th century under French and later Greek archaeologists, with significant work by Spyridon Marinatos starting in 1967. These excavations uncovered multi-story buildings, sophisticated drainage systems, and a wealth of artifacts that indicate a highly advanced and affluent society.

Ongoing research at Akrotiri continues to reveal new information. Conservation efforts focus on preserving the delicate frescoes and structures while making the site accessible to the public and scholars. The site is a key resource for understanding the Minoan civilization and the broader Bronze Age Aegean world.

Akrotiri was inhabited in the Late Neolithic Age and flourished in the Early Bronze Age. Its area exceeded 200 acres. It had excellent urban organization, excellent sewerage system and the elaborate two-storey and three-storey buildings. Many of them had remarkable frescoes, while the furniture and household items found in combination with all the previous ones testify to the highest cultural level for the time.

In the wider area, where today the organized archaeological site of Akrotiri is located, one of the most important centres of the Aegean and Cycladic Civilization developed with a long history [4,500 BC-end of the 17th century. e.g.]. Today, under the modern bioclimatic canopy, the visitor tours the excavated part of the city of the Late Cycladic period which, at the height of its heyday, was buried all at once, probably at the end of the 17th century. BC, under the volcanic deposits of the catastrophic eruption of the Thera volcano.

Streets with a sewer network, squares and multi-storey public and private buildings, once equipped with rich household goods and decorated with masterpiece frescoes, form part of the densely built center of a city that owed its prosperity mainly to the commercial and shipping activities of its inhabitants and testify both to the high cultural level of the Theraean society of the time as well as the dramatic chronicle of the end of this brilliant city.

From the findings it seems that Akrotiri and Thira consenquently, maintained close relations with Minoan Crete and was in contact with Mainland Greece, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.

Akrotiri holds immense academic importance as it bridges gaps in our knowledge of Aegean prehistory. It offers comparative material for studying other Minoan sites, such as Knossos, and provides a detailed case study of how a Bronze Age society responded to and was affected by a natural disaster. The site continues to be a focal point for studies in archaeology, anthropology, art history, and geology, contributing significantly to our understanding of ancient civilizations.

What was discovered

Under the foundations of one of the buildings of Akrotiri, a layer of crumbled porous and lava fragments was found, which played the role of thermal insulation.
The floors were made of wood or reeds and the stone roof suspended with beaten earth, wood and reeds to ensure coolness during the summer and warmth in winter.

Architecture and Urban Planning

The architecture of Akrotiri demonstrates advanced engineering and urban planning. The town featured multi-story buildings constructed from stone and mud bricks, with some houses having as many as three floors. Streets were well-organized, and buildings often had basements used for storage. The settlement’s complex drainage system, including indoor toilets and sewage pipes, highlights the technological prowess of its inhabitants.

Frescoes and Art

One of the most notable aspects of Akrotiri is its vibrant frescoes, which provide valuable insights into Minoan art and culture. These frescoes, found on the walls of homes and public buildings, depict a variety of scenes, including natural landscapes, religious rituals, and everyday activities. The artistry reflects a society that valued aesthetics and was deeply connected to its natural environment.

Economy and Trade

Akrotiri’s location on the Aegean Sea made it a crucial hub for maritime trade. Artifacts found at the site, such as pottery, tools, and luxury items, suggest extensive trade networks that reached as far as Egypt, the Near East, and mainland Greece. The economy was likely based on agriculture, craftsmanship, and commerce, with evidence of wine and olive oil production, metalworking, and textile manufacturing.

Construction of the houses

The lower floors were used as workshops warehouses and mills and the upper floors were used as accommodation. In the richest houses the walls were often decorated with frescoes. The streets of the city were paved.

The plumbing drains were made with clay pipes that passed inside the buildings and poured into the sewers built along the stone streets.
The large number of frescoes found during the excavations are a valuable source of information on daily life, religion and island customs

The eruption of Santorini volcano and the end of Akrotiri

The eruption of the volcano of Santorini at the end of the 17th century BC , changed the shape of the island and ife in the settlement stopped abruptly.The inhabitants left the city due to the strong earthquakes.
However, the volcanic materials that covered the city and the whole island protected to this day the buildings and their contents, as happened in Pompeii. Thus, the ancient settlement that many call Pompeii of Greece was discovered and impresses its visitors.