Greece finds ‘unique’ Minoan hilltop complex near new Crete airport

A mysterious 4000-year-old, circular stone structure is perplexing archaeologists and posing a threat to a tourist island.

A mysterious 4000-year-old, circular stone structure found on a Greek hilltop is perplexing archaeologists and posing a threat to a major airport project on a tourist island.

Greece’s culture ministry announced on Tuesday that archaeologists had uncovered a “unique” monumental Minoan building on Crete atop a hill overlooking the island’s new international airport.

A 4000-year-old circular stone structure was found on a hill in Crete, posing a threat to the construction of a new international airport. Picture: AFP

The ministry in a statement said the building had been found on a hill at Kasteli, nearly 500 metres (1640 feet) high, that was previously earmarked for the new airport radar.

The discovery, believed to be a monumental Minoan building, has led to the relocation of the planned radar for the airport and suggests the site’s involvement in ritual activities around 3700-4000 years ago.

“It is a unique discovery of particular interest,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

The ministry statement added that it is the “first of its kind” found on Crete.

The circular stone building, about 1,800 square metres in size, contains eight “nearly labyrinthine” rings connected via small openings, it said.

The intended use of the complex is still unknown, and may have served a ritual purpose, but saw its main activity between 3,700 and 4,000 years ago, the ministry said.

A large quantity of animal bones was found on the site.

The discovery means that the planned radar will have to be relocated, Mendoni said.

The new airport, designed to accommodate 10 million travellers annually, is to be delivered in 2027.

The Minoan civilisation, a dominant naval force during the Bronze Age, thrived on Crete and other Aegean Islands until around 1500 BCE.

-With AFP

Originally published as Greece finds ‘unique’ Minoan hilltop complex near new Crete airport