Akrotiri

The ginormous volcano at Akrotiri on the island of Thera during the Bronze Age was devastating, and is speculated to be related to the fall of the Minoan civilization. Starting in 1867, archeologists discovered pottery, a buried city and frescoes. These discoveries are the most significant as the pottery and the buried city helped historians learn about the art, trade and societal aspects of Akrotiri, and the frescoes found revealed more information about Akrotiri’s art and religion. Clay artifacts found at the Akrotiri excavation site give evidence that Akrotiri traded with nearby locations like Crete and mainland Greece, and also with places like Egypt and Cyprus. Clay seals, that would have been used to seal papyrus documents, that were
There were buildings found with complex drainage systems and wide, paved streets, perfect for merchants, show sophistication unlike anything else from that time. The city was well planned and organized, and the size of some of the buildings indicate that they may have been used for religious or administrative purposes. The architecture is similar to that found on Crete, which is evidence of cultural diffusion between the two places, and their possible influence on each other. Crete-like architecture shows a trade route and influence from Crete, which means historians can find more connections between the Minoans on Crete and the Minoans in Akrotiri, which we would have not gained otherwise. From the buried city at the Akrotiri excavation site, we gained so much information about life in the Bronze Age, especially about their society and
They were believed to be a monotheistic civilization who preformed animal, but not human sacrifices. Religion is clearly evident in the famed frescoes, and show Minoan culture and tradition through depictions of religious processions, goddesses, and sacred flowers like lilies or crocuses. Most frescoes portrayed religious events or figures, both directly and indirectly, rather than political figures like kings or queens. They usually depict people in worshipful positions, as well as priests, gods or other deities and civilians performing in rituals. The famous “ladies fresco” depicts upper class women in fancy jewelry with long hair and makeup participating in a religious activity. This fresco in particular shows how women were more equal in Minoan society than in other societies at the time, since women could participate in sacred religious rituals. Other frescoes have been found portraying people with religious offerings. The people are facing the Northwest part of the room the fresco was found in, where archeologists also found an offering table in the same part of the room. Religion was clearly very important to them, as they incorporated it into the art in their homes, rather than keeping them in a house of worship. Much of the knowledge on Minoan religion and religious ceremonies is speculation, so the religious-related frescoes give historians an insight to religious events and procedures on Akrotiri. Religion