Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Gournia

Location

Pachia Ammos village

Country

Greece

Year of Research

1550-1450 B.C

Culture

It lies on a small hill which is few hundred meters from the sea in the Gulf of Mirabello.It is close to the north end of the Ierapetra isthmus.
The ancient name of which is not known is the most characteristic of the excavated medium-size settlements which is dated to the period of the peak of the Minoan culture.
Because of the good state of preservation,it is called Pompeii of Minoan Crete.It occupies a low hill, near to the sea, at the Isthmus of Hierapetra.
In the Early Minoan III period 2300 BC,the first inhabitants settled here.Remains of the Middle Minoan period 2000-1600 B.C. are also protected;the palace was erected in c. 1600 B.C.but in 1450 B.C.,it was destroyed along with the surrounding town at the same time with all the other palatial centres of Crete.
After Fifty years the place was partly reoccupied and was finally abandoned in around 1200 B.C.