The site of the Minoan town is in a well protected bay at the mouth of a small fertile valley on the southeast coast of the island.
It was first mentioned by Spratt in 1832. In 1901 the English archaeologist Hogarth began excavations on the slopes of the North East hill, above the palace and discovered houses from the Minoan period.
In 1961 Professor N. Platon began systematic excavations which are still in progress.
Wonderful ritual vase from the "Lustral Basin" at Zakros, unique for the marvellous use of the veins and spots in the polychrome marble, and for its shape. Around 1500 - 1600 BC is shown also on the pictures of this page.
The Minoan town was spread over the hills north and west of the palace. Paved streets separated the houses.
The dead were buried in funerary ceves at the Gorge of the Dead.
