From the island of Thera... the island that blew up in a volcanic eruption... part of the Minoan Culture... and rumored to be...ATLANTIS!!

Detail of a fresco fragment, from a house at the village of Akrotiri, on the island of Thera (also known as Santorini) 62 miles north of Crete.  See image to the right.	From Akrotiri, a two-story house that had been preserved under volcanic ash.	Fresco from Akrotiri, "Two Boys Boxing," c.1500 bce.

Explore the excavations of Akrotiri -- click here for a special adventure!

Detail of a landscape fresco.	Wall painting from Akrotiri, "Young Fisherman Fresco," is dated at c.1500 bce.  Height 53". National Archaeological Museum, Athens

MYCENAE The Mycenaen Culture on the Peloponesus, the Southern Greek mainland known for its fortified cities, cyclopean walls and gates, and works in gold.  These were the "Spartans" and the ones who went to war with the ancient Trojans, according to Homer

Embossed gold pendant of a deity holding two water birds, from Crete, c.1600 bce.	Gold Rhyton (drinking vessel) in the shape of a lion's head, from Mycenae.  c.1500 bce.  National Museum, Athens	"Bee Pendant" from Crete, c.1700-1550 bce. Archaeological Museum, Irakleion, Crete

"Funerary Mask from Grave A," rumored to be the gold funerary mask of "Agamemnon." See page 84 in the Gardner text.	Gold from the wreck of the Ulu Burun, 14th Century bce.  The gold finds show designs from throughout the Mediterranean area, destined for a Mycenean palace.

The "Gold Vapheio Cups" from Mycenae, c.1500 bce. 3 1/2" high, with repousse decoration.	"Gold Vapheio Cup" National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Page Updated 8/27/08

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Copyright M. Hoover and San Antonio College, July, 2001.  All rights reserved.