In 1964 John and Efi Sakellarakis started to excavate the area and brought to light remains of a Minoan settlement, which was exactly under the modern town as well as the ruins of a Minoan palace in the Turkish quarter of the town (Tourkogitonia). The settlement was continuously inhabited from the Pre Minoan period until the New Palace period (2500-1400 BC). The well-preserved palace was constructed with luxurious materials like in Knossos and Phaestos, such as marble and gypsum and dates from the New Palace period (1700-1400 BC). It was surrounded by high walls and had a sophisticated drainage system. Some of the finds are now displayed at the Archeological Museum of Archanes.
The Minoan Nekropolis of Fourni.
Situated about one km northwest of Archanes the cemetery of Fourni is the largest Minoan burial ground found in Crete. In 1964 archeologists John and Efi Sakellarakis unearthed several buildings, which date from around 2500 until 1200 BC. The cemetery includes a number of early vaulted tombs (Tholos), which contained fascinating finds, such as gold jewelry etc. in clay coffins (sarcophagi). A Mycenaean funerary complex, many simple graves as well as several buildings were also revealed at Fourni.
The Nekropolis consists of 26 buildings, among which the most important are:
Tholos Tomb B. It is the largest complex of the cemetery. Consisting of 12 rooms this tomb was built before 2000 BC and remained in use until the first half of the 14th century BC. It has a rectangular form with a tholos in its center.
Tholos Tomb C. Built between 2500-2100 BC this grave is above ground level with a window on the south side of its tholos. Numerous offerings were placed either inside the sarcophagi or directly on the floor.
Tholos Tomb D. It contained an intact rich female burial from the 14th century BC.
Tholos Tomb E. Built above ground level it is probably the first tomb constructed in the cemetery of Phourni, as its earliest burials date from around 2400 BC. Remained in use until 2000 BC and contained rich offerings and numerous burials.
The Mycenaean Grave Enclosure. The funerary complex in the northern part of the cemetery contained seven shaft tombs of the 14th century BC. The graves, rectangular in form were hewn from the rock. Each shaft contained a sarcophagus. All graves yielded rich offerings.
Funerary Building 3. This well-preserved square building contained important offerings. It was used before 2000 BC until after 1400 BC.
Funerary Building 4. Located almost at the centre of the eastern part of the cemetery this complex of rectangular structure was built on different levels and was separated in two wings. It was possibly used for the preparation of the dead during 1550-1500 BC.
Funerary Building 6. Consisting of six rectangular rooms, this complex was built before 2000 BC. It yielded mostly skulls and various grave offerings.
Funerary Building 19. This building was used during 2100-1950 BC. The walls surrounding the apse are extremely thick, apparently for the support of the building, which was roofed with a vault. The burials contained numerous rich offerings.
Anemospilia
Around 3 km northwest of Archanes, on the north slopes of Mount Giouchtas is the site of a Minoan sanctuary at Anemospilia. Excavations by John Sakellarakis in 1979 unearthed an isolated shrine, which was probably destroyed by an earthquake around 1700 BC. The rectangular building consists of three narrow chambers. In the middle room a xoanon (a wooden idol) of a deity, probably worshipped there, was discovered. The eastern room was possibly used for bloodless sacrifices. Though, the most fascinating discovery was undoubtedly that of the western room: in it were the skeletons of three people, who seem to have taken place in a human sacrifice. One skeleton had rich jewellery and was probably that of a priest and the other of a woman, who must have been his assistant. The third skeleton found on an altar, belonged to a young man, who according to scientists was already dead, when the earthquake stroke. Outside the western room a fourth skeleton was discovered. Near his body a precious vase was also found, presumably containing the blood of the sacrificed young man.
Vathypetro
About two kilometres south of Archanes, facing Mount Giouchtas, are the remains of the Minoan villa of Vathypetro and that of a Minoan vineyard. The villa, large in size, had several storeys, numerous rooms, a central court and a shrine. In one of its workrooms the oldest wine press in Greece, as well as agricultural equipment were found. A vineyard claiming to be the oldest in the world surrounded the villa (Minoans were excellent winemakers 3500 years ago).
A dirt road just before Vathipetro leads up to the summit of Mount Giouchtas (about 810m). In mythology the mountain was the burial place of Zeus and for that reason it was considered sacred. As you look at it from Heraklion, the mountain has a human profile of a man. Minoans believed that it was the face of Zeus.
On the northern side of the hill are the remnants of a Minoan peak sanctuary. Here archaeologists found a large number of votive offerings including fine jewellery, which can now be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. On the summit there is a chapel dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour (annual festival, on the 6th of August). The summit offers exceptional panoramic views not only of the surrounding area, but also of Mount Psiloritis and the Dikti Mountains.
