At Stavros on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania, researchers are studying the formation of rizoliths, natural rock structures created when plant roots become mineralized over time. The site sits within and around a historic Venetian quarry that once supplied stone for the construction of the Neoria shipyards and other fortifications in Chania. These ancient quarry grounds are now the focus of a geological and philosophical study exploring how natural processes interact with human and non-human activity over centuries. Visitors to Akrotiri can explore the Stavros area, best known for its beach featured in the film Zorba the Greek, and observe the layered landscape where Venetian history and natural geology intersect. The Akrotiri peninsula is easily reached by car from Chania city center in under 20 minutes.