Archanes
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Archanes Αρχάνες |
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 Archanes
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Location within the regional unit
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| Coordinates: 35°14′N 25°10′E / 35.233°N 25.167°ECoordinates: 35°14′N 25°10′E / 35.233°N 25.167°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Heraklion |
| Municipality | Archanes-Asterousia |
| • Municipal unit | 31.5 km2 (12.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipal unit | 5,042 |
| • Municipal unit density | 160/km2 (410/sq mi) |
| Community | |
| • Population | 3,996 (2011) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
Archanes (Greek: Αρχάνες, Godart & Olivier abbreviation: ARKH) is a former municipality in the Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Archanes-Asterousia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 31.516 km2 (12.168 sq mi). Population 5,042 (2011). It is also the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement in central Crete. The discovery of ancient roads leading from Archanes to Juktas, Anemospilia, Xeri Kara and Vathypetro indicate that Archanes was an important hub in the region during Minoan times. Archaeological evidence indicates that ancient Archanes spread out over the same area as the modern town of Archanes.
In 1912, Xanthoudides noted the importance of Archanes, but Sir Arthur Evans was the first to characterize the site as palatial, declaring that Archanes was likely a Summer Palace for the Knossos kings. Spyridon Marinatos and N. Platon excavated minor areas in the region, but nothing supported Evans' theory. In 1964, Yannis Sakellarakis dug trial trenches at the Tourkoyeitonia site and uncovered the first evidence of a palace site. Since 1966, Archanes has been excavated by the Greek Archaeological Society under the supervision of John Sakellarakis and Efi Sapouna-Sakellarakis.
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