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Greece reopens Bronze Age site on Santorini island

A group of journalists leave the archaeological site of prehistoric city of Akrotiri at the volcanic cycladic island of Santorini March 27, 2000. YK

(Reuters) – Greece reopened on Wednesday the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri on the tourist

island of Santorini, seven years after its roof collapsed, killing a British visitor.

A group of journalists leave the archaeological site of prehistoric city of Akrotiri

at the volcanic cycladic island of Santorini March 27, 2000. YK

Known as the “Pompeii of the Aegean”, the prehistoric town was buried under thick layers of volcanic

ash during an eruption 3,700 years ago that may have destroyed the Minoan civilization in Crete to the south.

“One of

the most significant archaeological sites in Greece and the world opened its gates again,” said Deputy Culture and Tourism

Minister Petros Alivizatos. “Akrotiri, which is now fully safe, will attract visitors and boost Greek tourism.”

The

site was closed down in 2005 after its roof collapsed killing a 45-year old Welsh tourist. A new roof made of steel and wood

now shelters the settlement discovered by Greek archaeologists in 1967.

Akrotiri was one of the main centers of the

Cycladic Civilization but residents were forced to abandon their homes in the late 17th century B.C. due to earth shocks that

were followed by the Santorini volcano eruption, one of the largest volcanic events in history.

Lava and volcanic ash

covered the entire island and the settlement, helping preserve the buildings but also streets and squares, furniture and

pottery, making it one of the oldest and best preserved archaeological sites in the world.

(Reporting by Renee

Maltezou, editing by Paul Casciato)

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