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signed by the architect Nikos Fintikakis. Specially designed walkways take visitors around and through the settlement, while there are viewing platforms that provide excellent vantage points. And, of course, at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, the experience is enhanced with important finds from the excavations: marble figurines, pottery, bronze implements, cooking utensils and impressive storage jars with designs indicative of their content. Pay close attention to the celebrated
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Theran wall paintings (Blue Monkeys fresco, House of the Ladies fresco, etc), the work of outstanding artists, as well as artifacts (seals, lead weights, clay tablets inscribed with Linear A script) that provide evidence that the complex society of prehistoric Akrotiri devised and used systems of writing and measurement. That is, they applied methods for the management of goods, developing a type of bureaucracy. Finally, just before leaving the exhibition area, don’t forget to visit the most impressive
find: a gold ibex figurine, quite unique, which was found in December 1999 in excellent condition in its wooden case. Concluding our conversation with Professor Doumas, I ask him what Akrotiri means to him personally. “The scene of the... crime,” he replies laughing. “I will always return here, as long as I can still stand. And when you consider that only 3 percent of the prehistoric settlement has been investigated, we archaeologists still have many centuries of work beneath the shelter!”
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1. One of the platforms that provide excellent views over the archaeological site. 2. Early Cycladic marble figurine. (Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira)
© VANGELIS ZAVOS
3. Over 50 different shapes can be distinguished among the thousands of vessels found during archaeological excavations. (Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira) 4. Gold ibex figurine, 17th century BC. Very few precious artifacts have been found at Akrotiri, since the inhabitants probably took their valuables with them when they left the island. (Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira)
I n f o : Akrotiri lies at the south-western tip of the island, 15 km from Fira • The archaeological site is open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., daily (until the end of October). Winter: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. except Mondays • Tel. (+30) 22860-81.939. M u s eum o f P r e h i s t o r i c T h e r a : Fira, tel. (+30) 22860-23.217. Open daily except Tuesdays (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.). D o n ’ t f o r g e t to buy original souvenirs and objects of art from the newly installed wooden kiosk of the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Studies on Prehistoric Thera, just outside the complex. All proceeds go toward the excavation and restoration work in Akrotiri.
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