During the archaeological excavations near the modern village of Akrotiri on Santorini island it was discovered one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean Sea. The present name of the village is known to historians.

The earliest finds discovered during excavations indicate a settlement here as early as the 4th millennium BC Akrotiri is associated with the Minoan civilization due to the use of Linear A (sort of Cretan writing) and the close similarity of artifacts and style frescoes.

The settlement developed rapidly and in about 20-17 centuries BC I grew up here one of the main urban centers and ports of the Aegean Sea. City takes about 20 hectares and was equipped with a sophisticated drainage and sewerage systems, and multi-story buildings (discovered during excavations), which preserved the magnificent wall paintings, furniture, household utensils and much more. It was also found a lot of items imported from outside (from Crete, mainland Greece, Syria, Egypt, Cyprus, etc.), indicating that the well-developed trade relations.

It is believed that at the end of the 17th century inhabitants began to gradually leave the city because of the frequent earthquakes. After a strong volcanic eruption around 1500 BC, the city was completely buried under a layer of volcanic rock and ash, which allowed him, however, perfectly preserved to our time. During the excavations were found unburied human remains, suggesting the timely evacuation.

The first evidence of ancient settlements have been discovered in the late 19th century, but systematic excavations were begun much later - only in 1967 the famous Greek archaeologist Professor Spyridon Marinatos under the auspices of the Archaeological Society of Athens.

Today, the ancient relics found in Akrotiri and have great historical value, can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the Archaeological and Prehistoric Museums in Fira (Santorini).