GREECE CRETE LASITHI AGIA FOTIA

The area of Agia Fotia, to the East of modern Sitia, has great archaological importance. Signs of early habitation have been found in the cave of Koufoto on the shore.

Below: On a low hill near the sea, known as Kouphata, remains of a large Minoan building have been uncovered. It is dated to the end of the Prepalatial Period (EM III and MM IA). What makes it so important is the fact, that it was surrounded by a strong fortification wall with towers at intervals - something never before thought to exist in Minoan Crete. It may have been, together with Chamaizi, one of the coastal military bases of Minoan Crete. Unfortunately there was no access during my visit in 2005. - Below right is an aerial view of the building as shown in the Archaeological Museum of Sitia.

It is only a short distance from this building to the necropolis of Agia Fotia. With more than 250 tombs of the Early Minoan period (3000-2300 BC), it is one of the largest cemeteries in the prehistoric Aegean. The shallow rock-cut graves, mostly primitive chamber tombs, show a particularly strong Cycladic influence.