Monastiraki, Crete

Monastiraki is a Minoan archaeological site on the Amari plain in western Crete, 38 km from Rethymno. Constructed around 2000 BC during the Old Palace period, it was violently destroyed circa 1700 BC by earthquake or fire and never rebuilt, making it one of the best-preserved Middle Minoan sites. At its core stands a two-storey palatial building complex with storage rooms, sanctuaries, and archival chambers where numerous clay seals were discovered, demonstrating sophisticated record-keeping. Pottery resembling Phaistos ceramics suggests active trade networks.