The first Santorini Archaeological Museum was founded in the 20th century to house the wealth of findings in ancient Thira discovered during excavations that began in 1896.

Ancient Thira was the only island in "urban" center from Spartan
colonization at 9 º C. BC until the spread of Christianity. On display in the lobby of the museum is the collection of prehistoric few. These come from the first excavations of Akrotiri and the islet of Christiana, southwest of Santorini. Constitute a very small sample of prehistoric finds have been discovered on the island.

The main hall contains artifacts from 8 to 4 ° c. BC, displayed in chronological order. A collection of geometric pottery and archaic period from early cemetery, excavated in ancient Thira, is visible in the first section of the room. Ceramic display cases, especially amphorae, decorated with geometric "Thiran workshop." The characteristic feature of the amphorae are its thick tires and wide necks. In addition to the purely geometric, the amphorae are also decorated with floral motifs and birds. The rosette in the center of a metopa is a common motif in later pottery.

Of exceptional importance is the large jar of pithos Archaic period, with relief decoration, which appear in the center of the gallery. There is no one like him has been found in Thira.

The neck of the vessel has a representation of a swan, and in your body, winged horses drawing chariots with riders. The marble torso kouroi wine are from the time and date of the end of c. 7 BC. Its original height must have exceeded 2 meters, and probably used as grave markers, because they were found in the cemetery of ancient Thira. With its distinctive styling reminiscent of Egyptian statues, are outstanding examples of the technique called Daedalus. Scholars attribute this to a workshop in Naxos.

An important finding shows another case of the same period - a clay figure of a woman who seems to mourn. The way you represent the torso, hair, and facial features is reminiscent of Egyptian art. In addition, figure painting is in excellent condition, including details on the face, which is rare with clay figurines.

Following this are displays of ceramic finds of the 6 th C. BC, mainly black-figure vases of Attic origin were discovered in the cemetery of ancient Thira. Of particular interest is the Attic black-figure amphora whose edge is inscribed with the name of the deceased who was dedicated to the glass. On one side of the glass is a representation of Athena and Hercules riding a chariot, with Apollo and Artemis in the background.

A door at the end of first hallway leads to a courtyard containing the sculpture,
architectural fragments and large ceramic works from various eras. Among these are grave stele inscriptions, statues of the Roman nobility, and great pitchers pithoi.

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