At a distance of 10 kilometers south of the city of Rethymno, next to the village of the same name and in a wonderful forest of oak trees, the famous Armenian cemetery dating back to the Late Minoan period (13th / 12th century BC) has been discovered. The systematic excavation research that began in 1969 has uncovered more than 220 tombs and continues with the aim of uncovering the relevant city as well.
The tombs are chambered, carved out of the soft natural rock, oriented from east to west and include a long, narrow, also carved corridor leading to their interior. Only one of the tombs uncovered is a brick vault. It contained, in addition to pottery and weapons, beads as well as a periapto with an inscription in linear A script.
The clay urns impress with their rich decoration that includes themes inspired by nature as well as religious iconography. The findings of the Armenian cemetery can be admired at the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno. The archaeological site can be visited.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou