Akrotiri Of Thera: Sophisticated City In The Greek Cyclades Devastated By Volcanic Eruption

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Akrotiri is situated in the south of the main island of Thera, also known as Santorini, which lies in the Aegean Sea, approximately 100 km (62 miles) north of Crete.

Akrotiri was one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the region of the Aegean.

Fragment of fresco ship procession or flotilla. Frieze from the West House. Full image in Wikipedia

The first habitation at the site dates back to at least the 4th Millenium BC and during the Early Bronze Age (3rd Millenium BC), a large settlement was founded and during 2,000 BC – 1700 BC it was additionally extended and eventually became one of the most important urban centers and ports of the Aegean, with strong connections leading to the Minoan civilization.

Around 1500 BC, Akrotiri (sometimes called ‘Minoan Pompeii’) was abandoned because of an earthquake and totally destroyed by volcanic debris; the city has lain hidden undetected for several centuries. It is not yet known the exact date of the earthquake and subsequent volcanic eruption, but it seems clear that Akrotiri was abandoned before the end of Minoan civilization.

Usually, when a disaster occurs, the surviving people want to rebuild their place of living on the same site as soon as possible and if it is possible.

On the island of Santorini, people constructed modern buildings on or near those destroyed in earthquakes. Beneath the modern town, there are still seen volcanic deposits that remind people of the destruction and burial of the Bronze Age thriving settlement of Akrotiri.

The Lilies Fresco from Akrotiri on the Aegean island of Thera, modern-day Santorini. Image credit: National Archaeological Museum, Athens via ancient.eu

The first chances to find the remains of buildings were in the late 19^th century. Akrotiri (or more exactly a modern village situated on a hill nearby) was only found by chance. The name of the site in antiquity is unknown.

Archaeologists have confirmed that preservation of buildings and various artifacts at Akrotiri, on Santorini, is very good, with all beautiful frescoes surviving in some rooms and numerous pieces of pottery as they were abandoned by inhabitants.

Excavations revealed the sophisticated drainage system, buildings with several floors, the splendid wall-paintings, furniture, and pottery, which show that Akrotiri was prosperous and highly advanced. It had trade contacts with Crete and many other neighboring countries such as Cyprus, Syria, Egypt and the Greek Mainland, which was confirmed by a variety of imported objects unearthed in the buildings.

Excavations revealed the sophisticated drainage system, buildings with several floors, the splendid wall-paintings, furniture, and pottery, which show that Akrotiri was prosperous and highly advanced.

Unlike Pompeii, no human remains were discovered at Akrotiri - the residents clearly had been warned of the town's destruction.

The disaster of Akrotiri has been often related to the legendary Atlantis, mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias. It has been suggested that Santorini may have been the location of ancient Atlantis and the idea was popular in the 1960s when excavation began on the small town of Akrotiri.

After removing the volcanic ash, archaeologists saw pictures of ancient people fishing and navigating by boat along with scenery in the background depicting the island's vegetation and wildlife, exactly as Plato described in his ancient works.

Could it be that these ancient frescos are the sole remaining evidence of ancient Atlantis?

Even if it is believed that Santorini is the location of Atlantis, there are still several discrepancies between this island and the one described by Plato.

For instance, Plato described that Atlantis existed 9,000 years before his lifetime and that Atlantis - as it was frequently mentioned in diverse ancient texts - was a huge landmass compared to Asia Minor and Libya combined. Santorini is not of this size.

There are also several other problems with this particular location of Atlantis.

Anyway, whether Atlantis was a real civilization, or if it was a myth, is a matter of one of the greatest debates. There were several of Plato’s disciples who followed his ideas, principles, and claims along with that of the legendary Atlantis.

Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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