When the XIX century in Akrotiri on the island of Santorini discovered ancient ruins in science even was such a thing as the Minoan culture. There were only vague guesses about the existence of some Mediterranean culture based on found in Egypt imported ceramic products of unknown origin. Probably, for this reason, between the opening of Akrotiri in the middle of the XIX century and the beginning of the excavations in 1964, it took almost a hundred years. Of course in the XX century the excavations at Akrotiri was conducted on a higher scientific and technical level than it would be in the XIX century. Experts now have sparing methods of extraction from the earth valuable fragments of ruins and know how to save ancient times thanks to the recently introduced methods of conservation. We are talking first of all about the preservation of the valuable frescos, discovered in the excavations.

In ancient times, the most southern island of the Cyclades, is picturesquely scattered in the Mediterranean sea between Greece and the island of Crete, was called Strongyle (Round), or Thera, the Venetians called it Santarem - the island of St. Irene, and the pronunciation of the current Greeks Fehr turned into Fira - the so-called modern town in Santorini. In the heyday of settlement of Akrotiri volcanic island of Thera still had the form of a truncated cone and rose above the sea level at the height of 1800 M. the Soil on the island was very fertile and convenient Harbor was created perfect conditions for its settling in the bronze age. In clear weather from the hills Fury was visible on the horizon mountains of Crete, between the Islands of 120 km

We can assume that in the bronze age fere had many small settlements. Traces of the earliest occupation of the island is preserved in the plan of the town of Akrotiri, which is more like a modern village in the Cyclades, than the Minoan city. Despite this, the impact of Crete appears everywhere, which in itself is not surprising. Bright originality of the Minoan culture penetrated far - after all, the Minoans were merchants and navigators. They spread their influence and on the coast of the Peninsula of Asia Minor, which were at hand.

Fresco from Akrotiri with the image of the ships

Merchants from Akrotiri may also traded in Asia Minor and had a wide network of contacts. The wealth of the city convincingly proves that the trade was good.

Built in Akrotiri differed wasteful splendor. The excavations of the ruins, which persisted in the two lower floors. Amazingly good preservation of buildings is comparable only with Pompeii, the city covered with volcanic ash. A small part of the excavation open to visitors. Peacefully strolling along the streets of the dead city tourists try to imagine how these streets looked like three and a half thousand years ago. The condition of streets shows that Akrotiri was built in a mixed style combining brought with Crete's Minoan lines with more ancient Cycladic building traditions.

The whole town is crossed by narrow cobbled streets, under the smooth stones of the bridge is hidden Sewerage. Houses are built from local stone, the island very much. As a binder composition of local builders used clay mixed with straw. The load-bearing structure was further reinforced wooden beams. All houses were washbasin, toilet rooms, Sewerage. The houses of ordinary people built of small stones, sleplennyh clay and spacious mansions of wealthy citizens are composed of smooth and neatly dressed stone blocks. Three residential quarter converge to the triangular square.

Most blocks Akrotiri has not yet been investigated. Archaeologists are particularly interested in colorful Minoan frescoes, including fine fine miniatures. These miniature frescoes are considered important historical source, because no records or other works of literature Minoan culture has not left. Murals can tell some details about life in Akrotiri. To paint the walls on wet clay composition need to quickly until it has dried up, because the wizard to speed used a stencil. In rich houses frescoes covered the walls in all living rooms.

Unlike many excavations Greece, in Akrotiri almost everything is closed from extraneous eyes. No one home you cannot log in to look around inside. However, ancient ruins make a great impression. For example, the collapsing staircase, looking at which the specialist immediately clear that it was destroyed by the earthquake. Smooth careful step was broken in half along the length of the flight, but, in cases of extreme necessity, it is still possible to pass. Staircase, perhaps, was specially designed with a high safety margin in case of natural disasters.

Excavations in different parts of the world often can be contemplated only with a pit (everything else immediately taken), or - even better! - ferro-concrete reconstruction of ancient buildings. In Akrotiri all the present: in the empty streets of the ruined city you can feel the real spirit of history... Here long been slow careful work. Part of the ruins is already enclosed in an indoor pavilion, which preserve the ancient stones from the destructive influence of weather conditions.

Indeed, in Akrotiri has something to save: the wealth of the city historians do not argue - it's obvious. As for the origin of wealth, there are different guesses. Put forward the assumption that Akrotiri was a commercial city. However, to start trading on a bare place and with empty hands impossible. Building your wealth inhabitants of Akrotiri laid probably the cultivation of fields, livestock breeding, fishing. Trade they started later, but that trade brought the present prosperity.

Among the findings in the ruins meet unusual for the Cyclades items, for example, two eggs ostrich, Egyptian clay cups for donations. It is unknown how they got on fer - guided or through Crete. Other ceramic products found in the excavations of acrotiri, indicate a close relationship with Greece, and one amphora got in Akrotiri from the East coast of the Mediterranean sea, from Syria. There is no evidence that these items are delivered to the fer through the island of Crete, then it is not excluded that Cycladic merchants had close trade ties with different regions of the Mediterranean.

Judging by the scenes depicted on the mural, fishing was a very important part of everyday activity of the inhabitants of Akrotiri. Findings confirm that they were also involved in farming and herding cattle. The main grain crop was barley, anyway, in storerooms in the lower floor of many houses archaeologists have found traces of large stockpiles of barley grain and flour from barley. Barley spikes are often found as one of the main elements of ornaments decorating ceramic vessels. Besides, local farmers planted legumes. In the II Millennium B.C. on the Cycladic Islands olive groves and vineyards were already an integral part not only of the landscape, but also the entire way of life of the islanders. The Cyclades and is now impossible to imagine without olive oil and grape wines.

Bee hive, skilfully made of clay, shows that in Akrotiri kept bees, the residents had apiary. One of the frescoes painted women, collecting saffron. Saffron and to this day is found in the Cyclades in the form of wild plants. A wall picture of saffron in Akrotiri shows that it was highly valued. It's impossible to know what it was used in the Minoan culture. Perhaps, used as a dye for fabrics. The use of saffron as a spice for cooking unlikely, then, were of paramount importance.

The development of crafts is also left its mark in a half-ruined ancient city. Archaeologists have unearthed thousands of ceramic products and splinters, many different tools and weapons. The manufacture of such items as found among the ruins millstones, mortar, hammers, stone bowls, of course, required special skills. This means that among the inhabitants of the city were people engaged exclusively in the craft which has ceased to be a side occupation and became an independent kind of economic activity. But not every trade has become a professional activity: for example, spun and wove almost in every house, which is confirmed by archeological findings.

One can not forget about the architects and the builders, their efforts were constructed high houses, paved streets and sewage systems. In the city there was no shortage of the artists who painted inner walls of the spacious buildings, painted complex subjects, creating colorful composition. A large number of high, richly decorated buildings suggests the existence in Akrotiri Association of large traders, like the merchant Guild. The rich merchants of the case was put on a Grand scale. Their ships plied the Mediterranean ocean and delivered products in a separate harbour. They have sufficient funds for the construction of luxury homes, where they lived their extended families and arranged magnificent celebrations.

It is not known what goods were transported on the other harbours merchants from Akrotiri. Perhaps they were limited to the products of his native island, but it is possible that they played a role of intermediaries between different regions of the Mediterranean. The Greek historian Spyridon marinatos, who worked on the island of Fira in 1967, called the large building in the Western part of Akrotiri Home Admiral. He believed that the inhabitants of Akrotiri were mainly merchants and navigators. As proof of his tpoints of view Marinatos led the content of the frescoes in the House Admiral representing ships and boats. But they are drawn not only merchant ships, but the sea battle! This picture tilt the view of the Minoan culture as a purely peaceful, not knowing wars and conquests. Maybe the Minoans were piratstva the sea and robbed the coastal city? Maybe that pirate fishing, and was the source of an unprecedented wealth of a small town lost in the sea, the volcanic island? However, this is only one of the hypotheses, and she also has a right to exist.

However, in all likelihood, robberies were only minor episode in the history of Akrotiri. Perhaps the island of Thera settled immigrants from Crete, and from the beginning used the new settlement as a staging post on the trade routes. The locals have learned seamanship from sailors from Crete and is also engaged in trade.

The Greek historian Thucydides wrote that Minos, king of Crete was sent Cyclades Islands for their sons, so that they founded the colony. Thucydides used the word "colony" not in the sense, what gave him the European colonizers of the New time. The Greeks imagined in their colonies the interests of the mother country and cooperated with the local population, and did not destroy them, and not enslaved. Thucydides, probably, meant that the strong influence of the Minoan culture on fere preserved much of the traditional way of life of the inhabitants of the Cyclades. Excavations on Akritiri indeed confirm the dual nature of island culture.

In the Mediterranean basin earthquake happened quite often. Around 1600, and 1450 1500 BCE strong aftershocks shook the island of Crete and the neighboring Islands of Cyclades. Over one and a half centuries, residents again and again had to build houses, palaces, field workshops. This demanded great efforts, many years of hard work. But, bewailing the inevitable losses, people healed wounds and was again put her life. Especially the catastrophic earthquakes of 1450 BC, when the island of Thera erupted volcano. Giant crater has divided the island into three parts. Now Santorini and two small island surrounded by a ring deep failure on the site of a huge volcano. Sea depth in the hollow between the Islands reaches 200-400 meters In one of the small Islands have a new crater of the volcano, much smaller.

The eruption destroyed Akrotiri fully might residents even managed to escape. But they never returned to his city, and he was left abandoned and neglected for three and a half millennia. The disaster has caused irreparable blow Minoan culture that has never recovered from such a strong earthquake. Life continued after the earthquake, but it was a different life - the Minoan culture of long forgotten.