Excavations at Akrotíri have provided insights into life in a Minoan city that was buried by the catastrophic Late Bronze Age eruption of Santorini about 3500 years ago. Strong earthquakes prompted the residents of Akrotíri to evacuate the city between the time of the first minor ash falls and the devastating eruption that followed. The city was partially buried by heavy falls of ash and pumice, and then overtopped by pyroclastic flows.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1989.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Santorini