A Mycenaean principality that controlled the roads to the sea south of Crete is uncovered in Orne of Agios Vasilios, where a first five-year excavation cycle was completed in the summer of 2022.

It is the largest acropolis discovered in Crete and one of the largest brought to light so far by archaeological excavations in the southeastern Mediterranean. The impressive finds and new information about ancient Crete contribute to our better and more thorough knowledge of our island's ancient past.

The extent of the archaeological wealth unearthed in the south of Rethymno, which has generated worldwide interest, prompted the excavation team to request permission for a second excavation programme after it became clear that the ancient acropolis in Orne could yield even more "treasures" of finds and historical knowledge.

And this is the work of eminent archaeologists who have worked hard in recent years to bring to light an "unknown world" whose "secrets" had been hidden by past centuries.

The excavation team that succeeded in shedding light on the past hidden in the hills of Orne consists of Professor Nikos Chr. Stampolidis, Director of the Acropolis Museum, Professor Manolis Stefanakis of the University of the Aegean, Dr. Athanasia Kanda, Honorary Director of Antiquities of the Heraklion Regional Unit, Anastasia Tzigounakis, Director of Antiquities of Rethymno, and archaeologist Manos Papadakis.

THE FINDS OF THIS YEAR 

This year's impressive finds provide new evidence for the Mycenaean period of ancient Crete, as described by eminent archaeologists Athanasia Kanda and Manos Papadakis.

In particular, last summer the research of buildings from the 4th century BC continued, showing that the densely populated and fortified citadel had excellent architectural and urban planning, suggesting the existence of an organized central administration. It seems that there was a Mycenaean principality in Orne that controlled the natural routes to the sea through the area of today's Agia Galini, but also the valley of Amari to the plain of Messara.

The acropolis, one of the largest in the southeastern Mediterranean with an area of 55 hectares, was a fortified settlement for a much larger number of people than previously thought, due to the dense arrangement of buildings in the enclosed area.

In 2022, buildings with storage and laboratory facilities were also found. Among them was a metallurgical workshop, as evidenced by a die, i.e. a mold for the production of bronze spears. In 2022 there was also strong evidence of the existence of places of worship, as shown by the figurines found in various rooms. The streets are paved. There are impressively large rooms that are tiled, as well as rooms with desks for various purposes. The sloping terrain was exploited and designed, which testifies to the skill of the builders, but also to the need to use all the available land, because the citadel also has flatter parts, and these could have been used only if it had been necessary to accommodate a large number of inhabitants.

The citadel of Orne was destroyed by fire, probably preceded by an earthquake, as evidenced by the shaken walls and burned beams. In the rooms were found the objects used by the inhabitants, which were left behind when they left the citadel.

A NEW EXCAVATION PROGRAMME IS NECESSARY

The 2022 excavation at the Mycenaean citadel of Orne marked the successful completion of the five-year excavation programme approved by the Central Archaeological Council.

The research was carried out with grants from the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Agios Vasileios and the Institute of Aegean Prehistory. The Mayor of Agios Vasileios, Mr. Ioannis Tatarakis, and the staff of the Municipality have been very supportive of the excavation work.

The excavation team, with a new application to the Ministry of Culture and Sports, has already requested approval for a new five-year programme of excavations on the Acropolis.

The new programme is absolutely necessary and reflects a promising future of excavations and discoveries.