A short distance from Heraklion and Knossos, nestled in a lush valley, lies Archanes, an ideal place for understanding the Minoan civilization. Parts of the magnificent palace are preserved among the houses of the present-day town, while an impressive cemetery was found in the nearby Fourni. A little higher, at Anemospilia, excavations brought to light shocking evidence of a human sacrifice. Archaeologists Yiannis and Efi Sakellarakis document the excavation they conducted in Archanes, for which they were awarded by the Academy of Athens. [Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]