The Mysterious Prehistoric Ruins of Santorini

The Akrotiri Archaeological Site (Αρχαιολογικός Χώρος Ακρωτηρίου; Akrotiri Archaeological Site) is Santorini's (Σαντορίνη; Santorini) most famous archaeological site, often referred to as the "Pompeii of Greece." Spanning an area of 1.2 hectares, the site was equipped with a steel-structured protective roof in 2010. Elevated walkways allow visitors to explore the site comfortably, shielded from the sun and rain. The site has been inhabited since 4000 BCE and reached its peak around 2000 BCE. It was once a maritime and copper trade hub in the Aegean Sea, boasting advanced architectural techniques. In the 17th century BCE, a massive volcanic eruption on Santorini buried the entire city under six meters of volcanic ash. The volcanic ash preserved the city's streets, houses, and frescoes in remarkable condition, offering a vivid glimpse into the social, economic, and cultural life of this Aegean civilization during the Bronze Age. The buildings at the site were constructed with volcanic stone and mud bricks, standing two to three stories high, and featured windows, balconies, and drainage systems—an impressive level of sophistication. Numerous pottery items, bronze tools, and religious statues have been unearthed at the site, with some now housed in Athens' National Archaeological Museum (Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο; National Archaeological Museum). Interestingly, no human remains have been discovered at the Akrotiri Archaeological Site to date. Some speculate that the inhabitants may have evacuated before the volcanic eruption, but the truth remains a mystery. Could this be the legendary Atlantis?