Though not ancient, this vase is a reminder that Santorini is the site of on-going excavations, particularli at Akrotiri. According to Prof. Chistos Doumas, Director of Excavations at Akrotiri ( A Guide to the Island and its Archeological Treasures, Ekdotike Athenon S.A,1995), the earliest pottery found on the island confirms human presence around 3200 to 2000 B.C. The eruption of the volcano in 1500 B.C. then entirely buried the island. Resettlement occurred by the end of the 13th century B.C. During the Roman empire and into Byzantine times the island, then called Thera, was of little significance. After Constantinople fell to the crusaders in 1204 the island became the seat of a catholic bishop and was under Turkish domination by the early 17th century. This photo, with images of pottery, housing, fishing boat, and of the caldera, suggests a lifestyle of yesterday. Today it's a tourist location that attracts one million visitors each year.