Mykonos, one of Greece's most famous and cosmopolitan islands that is also subject to urban planning and other arbitrary decisions, is well known for many things, but not nearly as much as it should be for its rich history and antiquities, which have undoubtedly not been updated in the most appropriate manner.

Although the island has significant archaeological sites and finds dating from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages and Modern Times, which are undeniable examples of its long history and uninterrupted human presence on its territory, its archaeology is relatively unknown to the general public and has been that way until recently. This is due to the struggle of the archaeologists who work there to highlight, maintain, and "defend" its antiquities from the uncontrolled development and tourism.

It took the shocking, mafia-style attack on the island's archaeologist in charge, Manolis Psarros, on 7/3 in Athens, for all this to make the news, and may there be, albeit belatedly, a firm stance by the state so that the perpetrators are found and such unacceptable phenomena that tarnish the image of the place are not repeated (the case has since been taken over by the Extortion Prosecution Department).

Manolis Psarros has been working in Mykonos since 2014. No, he never received threats in the past, he says, nor was there any "warning" about the brutal attack that cost him, among other things, three broken ribs. "There are a number of contractors on the island who build illegally at night, but most architectural firms fully comply with the law".

Thirteen new archaeological sites, ten of which are within the designated sites, have been found on Mykonos in recent years, he claimed, adding to the 37 that his predecessor, Panagiotis Hatzidakis, had already designated as sites and monuments based on the oldest archaeological research on the island.

Mykonos, which currently employs three archaeologists, could get its own Ephorate of Antiquities, Manolis Psarros continued, "Understaffing is another problem that the sector is facing, and not only with regard to us archaeologists. For example, some time ago two staff members left, and now we are forced to take over archiving, among other things. Another constant demand of ours, which affects not only the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos but most museums in the country, is the creation of efficient storage spaces and organized laboratories. Otherwise, all this knowledge stagnates and cannot go out into the world.".

Mr. Psarros is requesting a guarantee from the government and police for his protection as well as the safety of his coworkers because he has not been intimidated by the incident and wants to carry on working on the island. "We formed a fist-like formation as a result of the community's touching support. Yet, the Minister of Culture's remarks caused more rifts than they healed. The aggravated assault charge against the attack's perpetrators was the only thing that could be considered positive "He'll say it.

"Mykonos may have been in the shadow of Delos, the great religious, economic and cultural center of the Aegean in antiquity, but it was nevertheless directly related to it, while itself preserving an important historical reserve," says the curator of Cycladic antiquities, Mr. Athanasoulis.

"In Mykonos we have one of the oldest Neolithic settlements on the beach of Ftelia, the Proto-Cycladic settlement of Diakoftis, the Mycenaean vaulted tomb of Angelika, which yielded remarkable finds, but also the ancient cities in the castle of Chora, in Paraportiani, and in Paleokastro, in Ano Mera, which are now being excavated and studied more systematically. The excavations in the Castle of Chora have already uncovered the entire Venetian residential structure. Among them we found the ruins of the Byzantine castle and among them finds from classical and prehistoric Mykonos, revealing the timelessness of one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Aegean."

“Other important sites involve rural places from the Hellenistic period and not only examples of the rural character that the landscape of Mykonos had for many centuries, towers, but also remarkable Byzantine churches”, he continues. The island was in its heyday at the classical period too, from which we also have remarkable finds, with the capital located on the site of the present Chora. Among the most important archaeological finds are the Neolithic clay figure found in Ftelia and a large pithos from the 7th century BC, depicting scenes from the fall of Troy.

"Currently, the only archaeological site that is highlighted is the castle of Chora. The part that was highlighted is now one of the attractions of the island and is visited by many visitors. Another such place is Paleokastro, which is also timeless. This year we have carried out excavations there, where the remains of an older settlement were found. The Neolithic settlement of Ftelia is preserved in remarkably good condition, but both the masonry and the ruins found there are very fragile, so they can hardly be visited. It seems that the best solution to save it is to "return" it to the ground, because only in this way can it be effectively protected," he says.

The oldest museum in the Aegean, the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, was constructed between 1900 and 1902 on Kamnaki Point, above the historic harbor. Since then, it has housed the extensive artifacts from the "Purification Pit" from the fifth century BC that was unearthed in 1898 on the nearby island of Rhenia, as well as artifacts from Delos and other island graves. The Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs and the Archaeological Society of Athens shared the expense of the design by architect Alexandros Lykakis. The original neoclassical structure was given its current form in 1934, and the big eastern hall was erected in 1972 on land that was provided by the Municipality of Mykonos.

The museum displays a large number of vases from prehistoric to late Hellenistic times (mid-3rd millennium-1st century BC), funerary statues, columns and urns from the Rhenia and some Myconian vases. The collections include funerary statues and columns from the 2nd to 1st centuries BC, vases from the middle of the 3rd millennium BC - 1st century BC, figurines from the 2nd to 1st centuries BC, jewellery and small objects of the 2nd to 1st centuries B.C.E. In recent years, major exhibitions have been held there ("Vanity", "From the world of Homer: The Mycenaean Cyclades", "The Palace at 4 a.m.", "The Archipelago is on Fire").

What transpires, however, when significant archaeological sites are situated in exceptionally well-liked tourist locations, when active excavations are close to well-known resorts? A considerable encroachment on the land is caused by the strong expansion of tourism, which is accompanied by extensive construction activity. An undesirable side effect of the excavations required for the construction of all these buildings is the significant disruption of the natural environment and scenery caused by legal and arbitrary constructions, which in the case of Mykonos has sadly reached a tremendous extent. In addition to being particularly beautiful, this landscape is a crucial component of the historical setting. The antiques unearthed there are lost along with the environment. The attack on Mr. Psarros is not related to any particular archaeological site or excavation, but it is an unacceptable act which should be brought to justice so that the culprits are also found and there are no more such incidents," says Mr. Athanasoulis.

The new archaeological sites of Mykonos

A "summary" of the archaeological map of the island after the excavations and researches of 2015-2019, as mentioned in a preliminary publication by archaeologists Manolis Psarros, Dimitris Athanasoulis, Maria Koniotis and Angeliki Koumnas.

At the site of Diakoftis, the remains of the first known Proto-Cycladic settlement of Mykonos were found and excavated. Fragments of mounds, pithoid vessels, bottles, sherds, stone cutters, worked obsidian blades, sketchy marble figurines, bronze forks and two ceramic hearths were found.

On the Haranou site, three large retaining walls were found during the construction of the new Mykonos substation, built according to the polygonal grid system that delimited the cultivation fields. On a higher plateau, excavations for cultivation and two large basins carved into the natural rock were found.

At the Aleomandra site, a rural site was identified and an underground water pump tank with a descent scale was exposed.

At the Vrysi-Aggelika site, a stream channel was discovered in connection with the construction of a conference center, dating from the Late Classic to Hellenistic periods and carved into the rock. Its imaginary course is said to approach the valley of Haranou and the archaeological sites of the Mycenaean vault tomb and Akrotiraki.

At Ornos, excavations revealed three areas of a building complex dating from the Late Classical to Roman periods.

At the Masouras site, a ceramic layer and a rectangular space were discovered between the natural rock. The layer yielded a large number of storage vessels, Hellenistic scyphos and about 20 bronze nails.

In Kardamida, architectural remains from Late Antiquity were discovered near the proclaimed sites of Koukoulos and Pyrgos. Among the finds, an intact microlithic vase and parts of trade and storage vessels stand out. It is a rural site from the Hellenistic to Late Roman periods.

Three areas of a large Late Roman building with strong walls, which probably served as a bath, were discovered at Three Pigadia of Chora.

In Panachra, masonry and carvings of various buildings, the dating of which is still under investigation, were found, as well as six bronze wine jars from the early Byzantine period.

In a 19th-century neoclassical building in Little Venice, an older construction phase was found with a cistern and a pebble floor related to the medieval castle house, and even remains of an ancient construction.

In Gialos of Mykonos Town and in the temple of Agios Nikolaos of Kadena, part of the old breakwater to the north, part of the old promenade of Gialos and the complete outline of a shaped islet where an older church was located have been identified, as well as traces of the foundation of a Venetian bridge pier to the east, which can still be seen in photographs at the end of the 19th century to join the waterfront with the islet of Agios Nikolaos.

In addition, the medieval heritage of Mykonos is constantly expanding. In addition to the already known Byzantine churches Panagia of Kouz, Agia Marina or Fragkoklissia in Leno, from the late Byzantine period are also Agios Basilios in Drafaki, Rhodo Amaranto next to the Archeological Museum and Panagia Hosti in Paspari, while a special place is occupied by the Evangelistria in Klouvas.