Geroplatanos
March 21st, 2005, 01:32 AM
Thera (Santorini) Island
Akrotiri
Akrotiri, like Pompeii, a flourishing and prosperous Minoan town was covered beneath a thick layer of pumice and ash created by the terrific volcanic eruption of 1500 BC.
It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean.
The first habitation at the site dates from the Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millenium B.C.). During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millenium B.C.), a sizeable settlement was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity. The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations. Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt. The town's life came to an abrupt end in the last quarter of the 17th century B.C. when the inhabitants were obliged to abandon it as a result of severe earthquakes. The erruption followed. The volcanic materials covered the entire island and the town itself. These materials, however, have protected up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in Pompei.
Evidence of habitation at Akrotiri first came to light in the second half of the 19th century. However, systematic excavations were begun much later, in 1967, by Professor Spyridon Marinatos under the auspices of the Archaeological Society at Athens. He decided to excavate at Akrotiri in the hope of verifying an old theory of his, published in the 1930's, that the eruption of the Thera volcano was responsible for the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Since his death in 1974, the excavations have been continued under the direction of Professor Christos Doumas. No interventions are made on the uncovered mon
uments unless it is necessary for their consolidation or for the preservation of any kind of evidence, mostly information concerning the destruction of the settlement.
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/11akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/06akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/08akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/02akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/fresque-pecheurb.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/10akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/fresque-navires1b.jpg
(from kathimerini )
Work on roof for prehistoric site of Akrotiri begins again
Karamanlis pushes through funding for construction to continue
The bioclimatic roof over Akrotiri on Thera, when finished, will be the world’s largest structure to protect a prehistoric site.
By Iota Sykka - Kathimerini
Prime Minister (and Culture Minister) Costas Karamanlis had to intervene personally to end the funding shortfall that had bedeviled the makeover of the archaeological site of Akrotiri on Santorini (or Thera, to give the island its ancient name).
The Archaeological Society owed 4 million euros to the contracting company that had undertaken the replacement of the old roof with a new one, as well as a more general revamp of the major prehistoric site.
One of the largest pioneering works to take place at an archaeological site, work restarted this week when the money was provided to pay off the debt, following visits earlier this year by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis, Alternate Culture Minister Fanni Palli-Petralia and General Secretary Christos Zachopoulos.
The 20 million euros that eventually will be provided will help to finish the project so that 18 months from now Akrotiri will be covered with a new bioclimatic roof.
Closed
From the beginning of October, the site of Akrotiri on Thera has been closed to visitors, the architect in charge of the roof project, Nikos Findikakis, told Kathimerini.
There was, he said, a period of about a month and a half when they could not carry out further work due to visiting tourists.
“We’ve been working at full speed from the beginning of the month,” Findikakis said.
This involves laying pipes to collect rainwater and channel it into tanks, completing work on the rust-proof roof and beginning the process of applying an insulating layer of Theran earth.
At the same time, orders were sent out for all the wooden sections: pergolas, frames, arches, and the like.
The unexpected has also been provided for. In the short time that the work had been suspended, the head of excavations, Professor Christos Doumas, fretted about possible flooding. Fortunately, his fears proved unfounded. Every possible measure by those in charge of the project has been taken to prevent the untoward.
Deadlines will be met, despite everything, and the work will be ready in a year and a half.
“After the interior is finished, work will start on the surrounding area, to be followed by all the interior walkways,” Kathimerini was told.
On completion, the new roof will be the largest structure to protect a prehistoric site in the world.
Practically, this means that the site of Akrotiri on Thera will be able to receive 1,500 visitors per day, as opposed to the 300 visitors in the past.
Five routes have been designed for visitors, with different tickets. Visitors will be able to purchase two-hour tickets, three-hour tickets, or one for the entire day. Opportunities to visit will also be provided to scientists and archaeologists, and there will be a tour for people with special needs, who will not be able to have access to all areas of the site.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri, like Pompeii, a flourishing and prosperous Minoan town was covered beneath a thick layer of pumice and ash created by the terrific volcanic eruption of 1500 BC.
It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean.
The first habitation at the site dates from the Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millenium B.C.). During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millenium B.C.), a sizeable settlement was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity. The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations. Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt. The town's life came to an abrupt end in the last quarter of the 17th century B.C. when the inhabitants were obliged to abandon it as a result of severe earthquakes. The erruption followed. The volcanic materials covered the entire island and the town itself. These materials, however, have protected up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in Pompei.
Evidence of habitation at Akrotiri first came to light in the second half of the 19th century. However, systematic excavations were begun much later, in 1967, by Professor Spyridon Marinatos under the auspices of the Archaeological Society at Athens. He decided to excavate at Akrotiri in the hope of verifying an old theory of his, published in the 1930's, that the eruption of the Thera volcano was responsible for the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Since his death in 1974, the excavations have been continued under the direction of Professor Christos Doumas. No interventions are made on the uncovered mon
uments unless it is necessary for their consolidation or for the preservation of any kind of evidence, mostly information concerning the destruction of the settlement.
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/11akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/06akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/08akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/02akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/fresque-pecheurb.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/10akrotiri.jpg
http://jfbradu.free.fr/GRECEANTIQUE/crete/santorin/akrotiri/fresque-navires1b.jpg
(from kathimerini )
Work on roof for prehistoric site of Akrotiri begins again
Karamanlis pushes through funding for construction to continue
The bioclimatic roof over Akrotiri on Thera, when finished, will be the world’s largest structure to protect a prehistoric site.
By Iota Sykka - Kathimerini
Prime Minister (and Culture Minister) Costas Karamanlis had to intervene personally to end the funding shortfall that had bedeviled the makeover of the archaeological site of Akrotiri on Santorini (or Thera, to give the island its ancient name).
The Archaeological Society owed 4 million euros to the contracting company that had undertaken the replacement of the old roof with a new one, as well as a more general revamp of the major prehistoric site.
One of the largest pioneering works to take place at an archaeological site, work restarted this week when the money was provided to pay off the debt, following visits earlier this year by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis, Alternate Culture Minister Fanni Palli-Petralia and General Secretary Christos Zachopoulos.
The 20 million euros that eventually will be provided will help to finish the project so that 18 months from now Akrotiri will be covered with a new bioclimatic roof.
Closed
From the beginning of October, the site of Akrotiri on Thera has been closed to visitors, the architect in charge of the roof project, Nikos Findikakis, told Kathimerini.
There was, he said, a period of about a month and a half when they could not carry out further work due to visiting tourists.
“We’ve been working at full speed from the beginning of the month,” Findikakis said.
This involves laying pipes to collect rainwater and channel it into tanks, completing work on the rust-proof roof and beginning the process of applying an insulating layer of Theran earth.
At the same time, orders were sent out for all the wooden sections: pergolas, frames, arches, and the like.
The unexpected has also been provided for. In the short time that the work had been suspended, the head of excavations, Professor Christos Doumas, fretted about possible flooding. Fortunately, his fears proved unfounded. Every possible measure by those in charge of the project has been taken to prevent the untoward.
Deadlines will be met, despite everything, and the work will be ready in a year and a half.
“After the interior is finished, work will start on the surrounding area, to be followed by all the interior walkways,” Kathimerini was told.
On completion, the new roof will be the largest structure to protect a prehistoric site in the world.
Practically, this means that the site of Akrotiri on Thera will be able to receive 1,500 visitors per day, as opposed to the 300 visitors in the past.
Five routes have been designed for visitors, with different tickets. Visitors will be able to purchase two-hour tickets, three-hour tickets, or one for the entire day. Opportunities to visit will also be provided to scientists and archaeologists, and there will be a tour for people with special needs, who will not be able to have access to all areas of the site.