From the third millennium BC right down to the modern period (1880-1912), the main activity on the island has been the mining and processing of minerals. The island flourished particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when mining companies were established to exploit the rich subsoil. Indeed, it was in Seriphos, at Megalo Livadi, that the first-ever Workers’ Strike was declared in August 1916: the unacceptable working conditions of the miners were denounced, with the demand for the establishment of an eight-hour working day. During it, bloody clashes occurred between the Management and the Workers, with miners killed. Later in the mid-20th century, however, the mines were abandoned, because mining was now deemed unprofitable. Several settlements were deserted.
Since ancient times, it has been known as a barren island. Its subsoil is rich though in various minerals and has deposits of hematite, magnetite, copper and many others.
In the southwestern region of the island at the location of Koundouro, there are copper deposits. Remains of ancient copper ore smelting at the site with the eloquent toponym of ‘Skouries’/Slags, above and around the Gulf of Avessalos and at the sites ‘Kefala’ and ‘Fournoi’/Ovens: these are evidence of important metallurgical activities from prehistoric times to Late Antiquity, as demonstrated by recent studies by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades and the NCSR Demokritos (O. Filaniotou, I. Basiakos and M. Georgakopoulou).
Traces of extensive habitation already from the Early Bronze Age/Early Cycladic period (3rd millennium BC) also associated with the exploitation of minerals have been identified and partially investigated by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades (P. Pantou) in the area of Plakalona in Megalo Livadi.
Recently, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades has been participating in the international and co-financed cooperative program ‘Interreg GREECE CYPRUS’ with the title “METAL PLACES” in collaboration with NCSR Demokritos (as the main Beneficiary), the University of Cyprus Research Unit of Archaeology, along with the Municipality of Siphnos and the Community of Asgata in Cyprus. The goal is to highlight through hiking trails and special markers the places of extraction of the ancient mines. In Seriphos, the area of Skouries in Avessalos in particular will be sign-posted: the paths leading right up to Aspropyrgos through Megalo Chorio will be highlighted. The results of the program will be visible to every tourist in Megalo Livadi at the Site of the Museum of Minerals and Metallurgy, following a significant agreement with the Municipality of Seriphos.
