The Akrotiri on the island of Santorini (Thera) is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. The first habitation at the site dates from the Late Neolithic times. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity.
The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations.
Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with the Greek Mainland and Egypt. The town's life came to an abrupt end in the last quarter of the 17th century B.C. when the inhabitants were obliged to abandon it as a result of severe earthquakes. The erruption followed. The volcanic materials covered the entire island and the town itself. These materials, however, have protected up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in Pompei.
The frescoes you see below are exact museum reproductions of the frescoes found in different building of the Akrotiri settlement and are all currently exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thera.