Santorini Dig Brings New Finds to Light

Excavation works carried out on Thirassia, an islet of the Santorini cluster, have brought to light a Bronze Age settlement, the Greek culture ministry announced this week.

“A section of the settlement was eroded and dragged into the cliff during the geological detachment of the island of Thirassia from Aspronissi as a result of the great volcanic eruption. The Koimisi settlement provides important data into the Thira-Thirassia complex during the early phases of the Bronze Age and also offers insight into the formation of the southeastern boundary of the pre-eruption caldera,” said the ministry in a statement.

Finds include building foundations and construction materials which provide insight into the way of life.

Backed by the Thira municipality and the Institute of Aegean Prehistory, this year’s excavations works were jointly carried out by the Ionian University, the University of Crete and the Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities with the support of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki professor Clairy Palyvos and a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists and researchers.

Formed by volcanic activity during the mid-second millennium BC, Thirassia marks the centre of the island group.