Aerial image of circular Minoan monument discovered in Crete
– GREECE MINISTRY OF CULTURE
A significant find has been uncovered during excavations for the new Crete airport . This is not the first time construction has been halted due to various archaeological remains in the area, given its rich heritage of ancient artifacts. Due to the importance of this particular find, it remains to be seen whether construction will be suspended.
Everything happened at the very site where the airport's radar will be located . The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, has issued a statement to temporarily suspend construction and preserve the discovery. Now, another location must be found to continue construction without disrupting the excavation.
Great discovery under the construction works of the future Crete airport
Construction has already begun on the future airport of Crete, much larger than the previous one, Heraklion, with the aim of accommodating up to 18 million passengers per year.
During the construction of the radar area, a large, ancient structure, dating back 4.000 years, was discovered , covering up to 1.800 square meters with a diameter of 48 meters.
This area is located 490 meters above sea level, atop Papoura Hill, and has been described as a "unique and extremely interesting find." The site boasts grand palaces, extravagant art, and an enigmatic writing system, reminiscent of Roman architecture.
This isn't the first time a major excavation has been made here, as the area is very revealing and holds many surprises. It happened during the construction of the International Airport, where a large fortified settlement from the Third Millennium BC was excavated and destroyed. So far, up to 35 archaeological sites have been found during the construction of the new Kastelli airport, according to ministry sources.
What is the new structure found like?
It is a carefully constructed site, architecturally large, but with imprecise details. It is speculated that it could be a settlement with a ritual or religious function.
Similarity of the discovery to the Chamaizi site
It is a large structure, suggesting the use of a significant workforce, extensive architectural knowledge, and a solid, stable construction. Its purpose remains unclear, but it is believed to have served a religious function, perhaps involving rituals, given the animal bones found there. Other findings include food, wine, and offerings, evoking ancient religious traditions.
This complex is surrounded by eight stepped stone walls , up to 1,7 meters high. Its interior structure is divided into smaller, interconnected spaces, with a shallow, conical roof. Overall, the structure resembles a car wheel when viewed from a drone.
Upon closer inspection, it can be observed that it contains eight overlapping stone rings , each 1,40 meters thick and with an estimated maximum height of 1,7 meters. It is constructed with varying elevations, forming converging rings that converge towards the center, while still maintaining a circular shape with a diameter of 15 meters. Inside this central circle is another 9-meter-diameter circle divided into four quadrants. Within the first circle described, another area of radial walls can be seen, revealing its almost labyrinthine structure.
This excavated monument dates back to between 2.000 and 1.700 BC.
According to some hypotheses, this building was used between 2.000 and 1.700 BC, a period when the first palaces of Crete were built, including those at Phaistos and Knossos. It could be compared to some burial sites, which were similar to this find, with Minoan beehives, topped with stepped conical roofs and burial mounds, which may reflect the religious beliefs of antiquity.
Archaeologists are surprised by this discovery and are already drawing parallels with the Chamizi site, although its circular structure lacks concentric rings. Therefore, it is the first monument identified as unique in the Crete region, given its construction, dedication, and the ingenuity of its workmanship. The complexity of its central organization must be considered in its construction.
The site suggests it may belong to the Minoan culture, with sanctuaries built on hilltops and high places like mountains. Further excavations will continue in search of detached body parts known as "votive limbs ," which were offered in ceremonies as thanks for healing.
This large stone structure joins the list of 35 other newly designated historical sites, all designated as Cultural Heritage sites. It cannot be touched in any way because it will be protected as a major monument. Lina Mendoni, the Greek Minister of Culture, has strongly emphasized the importance of preserving this find, considering it unique for archaeological research.
Building in Greece is quite a challenge , as any construction project always presents some surprise, especially when it involves an archaeological discovery during the construction of Crete's airport . When a new project is underway, the discovery of an ancient historical site can be a major setback.
