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Photo by Owen Tyler


This is Akrotiri

Akrotiri is the best-preserved of all the prehistoric settlements discovered in the Aegean. Excavation of the site confirmed that the volcano had indeed erupted around 1500 BC since the remains were buried beneath a deep layer of volcanic ash.

Archaeologists believe this eruption led to the collapse of Minoan civilization. The prehistoric town of Akrotiri was the center of a highly advanced civilization which reached its zenith in about 1550-1500 BC. The houses were two or three stories high with many rooms. The most luxurious were constructed of dressed stone. The others were made of mud mixed with straw. The floors were connected with wooden or stone staircases.


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Page last updated on May 5, 2000.