Kommos is situated on the shores of the Libyan Sea (see Kommos Beach) close to Matala and Pitsidia village, which borders the western area of the Mesara, the largest plain in Crete (see the map in this article). That plain, extending east-west between the Idaian mountain range and the hills of the Asterousia, has a long and rich history of habitation from as early as the Neolithic Period (ca. 6500 B.C.).

The largest ancient sites in the Mesara itself are Phaistos and Gortyn, both excavated by the Italian School of Archaeology during the last century. Phaistos, located on a high bluff commanding spectacular views of the plain, is best known for its sizeable Minoan palaces (ca. 1800-1450 B.C.). After the Roman conquest of Crete in the first century B.C., Gortyn became the capital of the island, and its remains reveal ample evidence of its former status as an impressive Roman provincial city.


Excavations on the western limits of the Mesara have been sporadic and less extensive. One exception is Agia Triada, where a lavish villa-like complex dating to the Late Minoan period was uncovered by the Italian School. The other exception is the coastal site of Kommos, where our excavation has been ongoing since 1976.

 

Kommos archaeological Site Kommos archaeological Site Kommos archaeological Site

Kommos archaeological Site Kommos archaeological Site Kommos archaeological Site

 

Kommos first attracted the attention of archaeologists in 1924, when the famed excavator of Knossos, Arthur Evans, heard of large storage vessels from the site and speculated about the existence of a Bronze Age "Customs House" there. Our excavations have borne out Evans's suppositions regarding the commercial nature of the site and greatly surpassed our own expectations of what might be found at this beach-side spot. After 25 years of digging, Kommos is revealed as a major harbour, with monumental Minoan palatial buildings, massive stone storage complexes, and a Minoan town (ca. 1800-1200 B.C.). Post-Minoan remains include a Greek Sanctuary that was active until the Early Roman period, when the site was abandoned (ca. A.D. 200).

The portable finds, which range from stone anchors to local and imported pottery and sculpture, speak of the seagoing interests and mercantile nature of the place. Vessels from Cyprus, Egypt, and Sardinia indicate the sphere of trade contacts enjoyed by the citizens of Bronze Age Kommos.

Source
Text and photos: www.fineart.utoronto.ca/kommos/kommosIntroduction.html

 

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Kerames beach Rethimno, South Central Crete

Trafoulas Beach in Lentas, South Central Crete

Arvi Beach and Village by South Crete

Tris Ekklisies Beach and Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Southern Crete beach article

Agia Galini beach - Rethimno

Listis Beach by South Crete, between Keratokambos and Tsoutsouros

Gialopotamos beach Rethimno, South Central Crete

Voidomatis Beach Asterousia, South Crete, Heraklion

Vathi Beach, South Crete - Mesara. Beaches on Crete

Kommos or Commos Beach, South Crete - Mesara. Beaches on Crete

Plakias Beach by Rethimno, south Crete

Agios Pavlos Sachtouria beach Rethimno, South Central Crete

Polirizos Beach by Rethimno, south Crete

Faflagos Beach by South Crete, between Psari Forada and Arvi

Chersonisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Analipsi village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Timbaki, Messara South Central Crete

Iraklio: Crete’s beating heart

The Municipality of Heraklion or Iraklion, Crete

Matala, south Crete. Holidays in Crete

Moires or Mires, south Crete. Messara

Tylissos or Tilisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Kokini Hani village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Perama in Geropotamos Rethimno, Central Crete

Archanes in Heraklion, Central Crete

Bali Village and Beach, Rethimno, Central Crete

Malia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Stalis or Stalida by Malia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Kasteli in Heraklion, Central Crete

Kounaviano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Kavoussi Gorge in Keratokambos

Kissano Gorge in Rethimno, Central Crete

Tripiti gorge in Lentas south Crete. Lendas area

Astritsi gorge or Agios Ioannis in Heraklion Crete

Spiliotissa gorge in Choudetsi

Agios Fanourios gorge in Venerato

Kourtaliotiko Gorge in Plakias, south Crete

Arvi Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

The gorge of Vorizia

Karteros or Astrakiano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Knosano gorge in Archanes Crete

Aposelemis gorge in Heraklion Crete

Preveli Gorge in Rethimno, South Crete

Keratokambos or Portela Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Anemospilia archaeological site in Archanes

Ancient Inatos, Tsoutsouros

Labyrinth: Knossos and History

The Hermitages of Agios Efthimios and of Agios Methodios in Zaros - Nivritos

Oaxos archaeological site in Axos, Rethimno

Amnisos, Amnissos Amnisus archaeological site

Minoan cemetery of Armeni. Necropolis archaeological site in Rethimno, Crete

Gortys – A City for the Ages

The Rimondi Fountain, Rethimno

Knossos archaeological site on Crete, Heraklion

Zominthos minoan settlement archaeological site in Anogia Crete

Prinias ancient acropolis

Agia Triada archaeological site in Crete

The Arkalochori Cave

Monastiraki minoan settlement archaeological site in south Crete

Struggles for the Cretan Freedom

Some words about this big island

The cities of Crete. Information about the Island of Crete

White mountains, the refuge for the Cretan soul

Greece and the Islands

Weather in West and East Crete

To Crete: The best move he ever made

Family & Social Life - The Greek Family

The Climate of Crete

Crete by bicycles

The traditional dances of Crete

Chania municipality: 3 sights to visit

Inland Water in the Island of Crete

Holocaust of Viannos, East Crete

Kri-Kri: Crete’s most famous animal