Theran Written Report

Theran art and what it tells us about Bronze Age culture

The frescoes of Akrotiri are unique as they are the only paintings that have been preserved to near perfection from the Minoan world. Unlike those from Crete which only have few remaining fragments. Through the restoration and the clarity of the works there is not much room for guesswork or uncertainty about their function or meaning as their artwork. These wall paintings were used as decoration in houses and buildings for many years. They gave historians and archaeologists insight into their lives, society and their pre-historical cultures. The people of this culture display images of things that partake in their lives including their domestic, daily lives and religious beliefs. The wall paintings in Akrotiri partake in a significant part of archaeological evidence of life in the Bronze Age era. In the civilizations of Crete and Egypt wall paintings weren’t used just for decoration but also for religious purposes or veneration towards the ruler or king of the time. This religious purpose interlinked with their values, traditions and society as it was part of their everyday lives. And now archaeologists and historians can interpret their way of life and understand their values.
Akrotiri, the ancient city of Santorini, is known to be the best preserved prehistoric site. The site was discovered in 1866 and since 1967 Professor Marinatos has been the head of all excavations. The discoverers did not find any bodies but very well preserved artifacts, pottery and artwork. The volcanic eruption that occurred preserved all these works. We presume that the supposed 30, 000 inhabitants1 hurried out of the city before the volcanic eruption. This eruption is thought to have occurred at the end of the 17th century B.C. in what seems to be one of the biggest eruptions in the history of our planet. In every house found there are many well preserved wall paintings covering the walls. They were also found in public and...