Prehistory

The first man in Crete was possibly Homo erectus, that arrived in Crete with boat 130.000-700.000 years ago. This theory is evidenced by the several tools and axes that have been identified by scientists in the area of Plakias and Samaria, reinforcing a theory for this very early type of ability to move with boats.

Before this theory was evidenced by the ideltified tools, scientists dated the arrival of Crete in the Neolithic Era. One of the most important findings of this era is the cave of Skordalakia where stone carvings of 8000BC depicting hunting scens have been identified. There are many more findings, such as bases of residences in Katsambas and, as expected, numerous findings come from caves.

Small cavities out of caves have been used as graves, while the interior spaces were used of storing materials. Indeed, it is noteworthy to mention the cave of Gerani, where a pit full of animal bones was found and next to it, there were many small and large tools made of bone.