Akrotiri Archaeological Site

Akrotiri is a Bronze Age settlement on the south coast of Santorini (Thera), in the Cyclades. It was occupied from the Neolithic period and grew into a prosperous port in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC, with trade links to Crete, the Greek mainland, Cyprus and the Near East. Its culture shows strong Minoan influence, including the use of the Linear A script. A series of earthquakes appears to have caused the inhabitants to evacuate, and the town was then buried under volcanic ash by the great eruption, dated to the 17th century BC, which left the settlement sealed in pumice and ash up to several metres thick.

The excavation was begun in 1967 by the archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos, who identified the settlement after observing the finds in the area. Work continues under the Archaeological Society at Athens. Unlike Pompeii, no human remains or precious objects have been found, which suggests the population escaped. The streets, squares and multi-storey houses, some preserved to a height of two or three floors, with staircases, windows and doorframes still in place, show how the town functioned. Large storage jars, drainage systems and workshops indicate an organised community.

The frescoes, among the finest of the Aegean Bronze Age, include the Spring Fresco, the Boxing Boys, the fisherman and the Miniature Ship Fresco. Many of these were removed for conservation, and the major ones are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens and in the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, with copies and traces visible in the houses. The Xeste 3 building, a large structure with wall paintings tied to ritual, is a highlight.

A modern bioclimatic roof was built in 2012 after the earlier shelter collapsed in 2005, and the site reopened in 2012, with raised walkways that guide visitors above the ruins. The roof keeps the temperature lower and protects the delicate remains. A visit takes about 1 hour, with the museum in Fira adding time for the finds.