he excavations at Akrotiri started in 1967, under Professor Spyros Marinatos, and their aim was to prove the theory that the destruction of Minoan civilization in Crete was the result of the eruption of the volcano on Santorini.

The dig was most revealing, confirming the theory, and the excavations resulted in the following archaelogical conclusions: The eruption of the volcano was preceded by earthquakes, and the inhabitants had plenty of time to get organized and abandon their dwellings (no skeletons, human or animal, were found, nor were any objects of value) . Akrotiri was the site of an organized community with high living standards, possibly governed by a priest caste. Nature and Fertility were the objects of religious worship. The art of the inhabitants of Akrotiri was very similar to Cretan art in the Minoan period.

No written records were found to allow clearer conclusions to be drawn, but there is considerable evidence to support the identification of Strongyle with Atlantis.

he excavations at Ancient Thera were conducted by Baron von Goertringen between 1896 and 1900. The finds show that Dorian colonists inhabited the area as early as the 9th century BC, and that during the Hellenistic period (300-145 BC) the Ptolemies had a strong garrison here, right above the island's principal harbour which we know as Kamari today. The first remains we shall encouter on entering the archaelogical site are Byzantine.

They lie beneath the chapel of St.Stephen and are of a 4th or 5th century basilica dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

Photos and text taken from "Santorini - Today and yesterday" (Toubis Editions)

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