Yesterday I visited Akrotiri which I learned is the Greek Pompeii. Located on Santorini, right near the red beach, Akrotiri was once a thriving metropolis of cosmopolitain culture. Despite being a very prosperous village as evidenced by some large houses with distinct signs of wealth, the people of Akrotiri had some challenges. They suffered through an earthquake that destroyed part of the town. They rebuilt and continued to prosper until they were hit by a second earthquake. Not cool, right? But wait, there's more. While still rebuilding from the second earthquake (and this way in the 17th century B.C. so rebuilding was hard work) the down was destroyed when it was engulfed in ash and lava from a volcano.
Archeologists have been working for decades on the excavation of Akrotiri. They've found signs of regulated commerce, advanced amenities for homes, including an indoor toilet, and imports from other parts of the world - my favorite being monkeys.
Unlike Pompeii, the residents of Akrotiri were able to escape before being buried - possibly because they were a port city, possibly because they had already experienced two disasters and were on their game. Maybe they were finally just lucky.
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