A mysterious architectural discovery on the Greek island of Crete has thrown the future of a new airport into question amid head-scratching about the purpose of the unique ancient structure. Thought to have been built and used around 4,000 years ago at the time of the Minoan civilization between 2000 and 1700 BCE, the remains of a monument have been found on the top of Papoura Hill, near the town of Kastelli – a site until now destined to be home to a radar station to serve a new international airport on the island.
Sheer size
Crete boasts vast palaces at Knossos and Phaistos but experts are stumped by the purpose of the newly discovered ruins, which resemble a wheel when seen from above. With a diameter of nearly 48 metres, the area spreads over 1,765 square metres. Its extent alone is of interest, said the Greek Ministry of Culture in a statement.
“Its size, architectural layout and careful construction required considerable labor, specialized know-how and a robust central administration,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry has also noted similarities between certain features of the find and other Minoan tombs, including its intricate circular construction, made up of eight ringed stone walls up to 1.7 metres high. However, the discovery of large quantities of animal bones nearby has also created speculation that the structure could have been part of “ritual ceremonies involving consumption of food, wine and perhaps offerings,” the statement continued.
New project, new dig
While other parts of Greece struggle with overtourism, for example imposing visitor caps to protect the country’s heritage, work towards the new airport intended to serve the nearby Cretan capital of Heraklion continues apace, ready for ribbon-cutting in 2027, when it expects to handle 18 million passengers a year.
Nonetheless, the previously unknown monument in the path of the airport’s radar tower highlights the difficulties faced by many infrastructure projects in a country with such a wealth of yet-to-be-uncovered ancient cultural treasures. An astonishing 35 other archaeological sites have been found in the airport area alone, as authorities battle to connect the hub with road networks and utilities.
Still, competing interests must find a way to coexist and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, an archaeologist herself, has promised to relocate the radar tower that was destined for Papoura Hill, saying, “We all understand the value and importance of cultural heritage … as well as the growth potential [at stake]. It’s possible to go ahead with the airport while granting the antiquities the protection they merit.”
