Pre-historic Settlement of Skarkos Ios Greece

Skarkos is an award-winning archaeological site. The project was awarded the 2008 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Top Prize for Conservation, for the ‘outstanding quality of conservation work and above all the minimal and extremely sensitive character of the interventions, having no detrimental impact on a unique landscape’.

The site was excavated from 1984 to 1997 by the XXI Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities – the regional service of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture responsible for the Cyclades. The excavations found an important Early Bronze Age settlement from the mid-3rd millennium BC which had been exceptionally well-preserved.

Skarkos is circular in shape, most of the buildings are 3/4 meters high, and 2 storeys. There is evidence of stone-paved floors, a drainage system and a late Middle/early Late Bronze Age cemetery (mid-2nd millennium BC). There are also many examples of pottery, kitchen utensils and work tools made from metal, stone and bone, many of which are housed in the Archaeological Museum in the Town Hall in the main village of Chora.

The settlement can be found in the north side of Ios port. It is open to the public and there are two entrances to the site, one suitable for wheelchair users.