Akortiri
(click on the small image below to see the full size image)
View
of the site from the exit.
(this is a large file and may take some
time to download on a dialup connection)
| Akortiri
is a Minoan civilization which thrived on the island of Santorini around
approximately 1500 B.C.E. It's height was concurrent with Knossos
on Crete. Akortiri was a highly advanced civilization. Archaeologists
only have a small portion of the ancient city excavated, but they have
been able to learn a great deal about the civilization. For instance,
because they have yet to discover any skeletal remains on the site,
they know that the people who lived here were scientifically advanced
enough to know that the volcano was going to erupt, with sufficient
time to abandon the city. The people took things of value with them,
so what has been left are things of clay that were either too heavy
and cumbersome to take with them, or easily replicated. What is really interesting about this site is that the walls that are standing are not reconstructed, but simply dug out from the volcanic ash and other sediment. |
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| These pictures emphasize the construction of the buildings. The brown framing represents the wood that archaeologists believe was originally there. Also note the detail around the window frame. | 
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| Again, this picture shows the detail that existed in the city. This is a shot of the sidewalks. | 
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| These pithoi were found full of food and wine. The archaeologists have left the pithoi exactly how they found them on the site. | 
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| It is amazing that this much of the city had survived the volcano's eruption. This picture shows a staircase that is in reasonably in tact. | 
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| Due
to the nature of the volcanic ash that covered the city, many wall frescos
are well preserved. They have been removed from the site itself and
are on display in the museum in Fira. The first fresco shown here is that of the "Blue Monkeys". Many archaeologists believe that the depiction of monkeys demonstrates that Akortiri was a popular trading port and had contact with northern Africa. The other two frescos were found in a single room in a building that is now referred to as the "House of the Ladies". |
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| This is a portable clay oven that was found at Akortiri. It is now at the Museum in Fira. | 
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