Archaeological Museum of Nisyros

The Archaeological Museum of Nisyros in Mandraki is a creation of the initiative of Giannidis brothers the money of whom erected the building that is housing it and was ceded to the Ministry of culture in 2001. It includes finds from the prehistoric installation in volcanic islet Glass, opposite Nisyros, dating to the Final Neolithic Period of the 4th millennium B.C., where excavations revealed a whole Neolithic oval building, remains of other buildings and cemetery. Also, it exposed rich finds from the necropolis of the ancient city, dating back to the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Period.

The oldest burials of 7th and 6th century BC belong to adult cremation, while the few burials in terracotta jars belong to children. There are also abundant ceramic finds, mainly flat plates decorated with vivid written representations, within a typical rhythm of Eastern Doris. As in the 4th century B.C. the Nisyros witnessed great prosperity, the sprawling cemetery, in the region of St. John has revealed burials not only in large earthen jars but in clay sarcophagi with plentiful funeral gifts as well, amongst which they stand out some of black pottery, mostly imported from Attiki, many clay figurines and a few jewels. There are also little sculptures, with characteristic bottom embossed which are showing seating woman of the late 5th century B.C. and a naval base with embossed representation of military wear the 2nd century B.C., inscriptions, including resolutions, Honorary inscriptions, votive inscriptions on the main deities of the island, inscribed bases of statues and tombstones.

The Museum includes artefacts from the early Christian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine Nisyros. Early capitals of the 5th and 6th century A.D. portrayal of Middle Byzantine Temple of the Church of Panagia Spiliani, sections of wall paintings from the Byzantine churches of the island, visual material relating to the major Churches, the knightly castles and portable icons post-Byzantine churches of Nisyros.

Source: www.nisyros.gr