Monastiraki Archaeological Site

Just outside Monastiraki, in Amari, a significant Minoan palace settlement has been unearthed. At its core lies a spacious two-storey building complex with features characteristic of a palace.

This settlement appears to have been constructed around 2000 BC and, like many ancient palaces, met a violent demise around 1700 BC, likely due to an earthquake and/or fire.

Archaeological excavations have unveiled various components of the settlement, including storerooms, places of worship, and rooms that likely served as the palace's archive. This is evident from the discovery of a substantial quantity of clay seals in these areas.

The pottery samples discovered in the settlement bear a resemblance to those found in Phaistos, indicating that these two centres likely engaged in economic and commercial interactions.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Information: Municipality of Amari