"Archaic Elites
Warriors and Princesses"
Major Archaeological Exhibition at Ancient Eleutherna Museum
A new exhibition titled “Archaic Elites: Warriors and Princesses” has opened at the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna. This special event celebrates 40 years of archaeological excavations and research led by Professor Nikos Stampolidis, a renowned Classical Archaeologist and Director of the Acropolis Museum.
The exhibition officially opened on Saturday, June 29, 2025, and will remain open to the public until October 19, 2025.
The evening began with a memorable concert titled “At the Cinema”, featuring music by the legendary Greek composer Stavros Xarchakos.
He was joined on stage by well-known singers Iro Saia, Dimitris Basis, and Thodoris Voutsikakis, in the museum's beautiful courtyard, filled with an enthusiastic audience.
Honoring Four Decades of Discovery
This exhibition marks four decades of archaeological work in Eleutherna, a once-prominent ancient city of Crete.
Over the years, excavations have revealed important findings that shed light on ancient Greek life and even connect directly with Homeric texts.
Eleutherna has now earned its place on the global cultural and archaeological map.
The show takes visitors on a journey across the Mediterranean from the 9th to the 5th century BC and honors the hard work of the professor and his large team—workers, students, scientists, architects, anthropologists, and many more—who have contributed to this remarkable project.
A Rich Collection of Ancient Treasures
More than 130 artifacts from Cyprus, Italy, and Spain are on display alongside over 400 objects found at the Orthi Petra necropolis in Eleutherna.
These items are beautifully arranged in both new and existing displays.
The collection includes objects made from stone, clay, gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as more exotic materials such as faience, glass, ivory, ostrich eggs, semi-precious stones, amber, amethyst, carnelian, rock crystal, and Egyptian blue.
Visitors can explore
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Weapons for protection and combat, like helmets, armor, shields, swords, and spears.
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Daily-use items, including ceramic and bronze vessels for eating, drinking, bathing, and cooking.
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Rare and luxury items like wine cups, urns, perfume bottles, soup ladles, cheese graters, and flasks.
A Story Beyond Objects
More than a display of ancient art and technology, the exhibition explores the human side of history.
It tells stories of travel, marriage, cultural exchange, and everyday life. It highlights the connections between people across the Mediterranean and shows how human emotions—joy, sorrow, love, and loss—have remained constant over the centuries.
