The ancient settlement of Zagora is located on the steep plateau (height 160 m.) of the homonymous peninsula. The excavations carried out from 1960 to 1972 brought to light a large part of it. The life of the settlement began in the 10th century BC and lasted until the end of the 8th century BC. The settlement was protected by a strong wall 110 m long and 2 to 4.80 m thick, while its height reached 3 m The entrance to the settlement was through a large gate. Inside the settlement there is a sanctuary, which was first founded in the 8th century BC and continued to function until the classical years, even though the settlement had been abandoned three centuries earlier. The houses were built of slate and roofed with an earthen roof (doma). They usually consist of a large rectangular space with a hearth in the center, a separate storage area with stone supports to support the clay jars and a stable with a yard. It is impressive that the same technique continued to be used until the beginning of our century in the construction of the farmhouses of the island. The Archaeological Museum of Chora exhibits the findings of the excavation as well as representations of a house and the temple.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou