Minoan Villa of Gaidourofas

At position Gaidourofas , at an altitude of 900 meters, near Anatoli village, the archaeologists have revealed the traces of an imposing postminoan villa (1600 BC -1450 BC). The building had two floors and the walls are preserved to a height of 2m.

There were found big jars and a crypt with pillars (Minoan sanctuary). Among the most important finds was a bronze ax.

The site was detected by sir Arthur Evans (the archaeologist of Minos Palace at Knossos ) in 1898, but the first systematic excavations started in 2012. The mansion is believed to have served as the administrative center of the region.

It is reminiscent of Zo minthos mansion , which served as the administrative coordinating center of the mountainous production of Psiloritis Range . From Gaidourofas , the Minoans apparently coordinated the production of livestock products, honey, resin and wood of South Dikti Range .