The oldest evidence of habitation of Syros dates to the Neolithic period. Several Neolithic sites have been identified on the island, but have not been excavated. Listed archaeological sites of this period are a cape with remains of a prehistoric settlement at the location ‘Chontra’ and the Neolithic settlement at the location ‘Talanta’.
The large-scale and important prehistoric settlements of Syros that have been excavated belong to the Early Bronze Age. These are two Early Bronze Age settlements and a cemetery from the same period: a) the fortified settlement of Kastri, dated to the Early Cycladic IIIA (Kastri cultural group, 2300 – 2000 BC), b) the cemetery of Chalandriani, which mainly comprises tombs from the Early Cycladic IIA period (Keros – Syros cultural group, 2700 – 2300 BC) and c) the settlement of Chalandriani, under the modern settlement of the same name. Early Cycladic tombs have also been excavated at Agios Loukas, while early Cycladic installations have been identified in other areas of the island (Delfinonisi, Skopelos, Atsiganokastro).
The ancient city of historical times, which ancient writers call by its current name (Syros), belongs to the Ionian Cyclades and its first settler is mentioned as the Athenian Hippomedon. It is located precisely on the site of today’s Hermoupolis, the dense urban fabric of which has covered its ruins, with the exception of the fortification construction at Pefkakia (in the area of ‘Katailymata’) and parts of theatre or odeion seats preserved in the basement of a house in Hermoupolis.
The archaeologists L. Ross and Ph. le Bas, who visited Syros between 1831 and 1843, mention two sanctuaries known from inscriptions, of Poseidon and Amphitrite to the south of the port, and of Athena Phratria in the area of the Church of the Assumption. In 1855, during the excavation of the Municipal Convenience Store, in the south-west corner of Miaouli Square, architectural remains were found that were attributed either to a bath-house or to a Sanctuary of Isis. Inscriptions, coins, reliefs, etc. have been found in different parts of the island, which complete the picture of the ancient city of Syros.
During the Geometric period, the ancient city of ‘Galissos’ developed in the spot of the present-day Galissas: this has been excavated and declared an archaeological site. This city coexisted during the Archaic and Classical periods with the city located under present-day Ermoupolis.
In addition to the above archaeological sites, in the countryside of the island there are other isolated monuments and ancient sites from historical times (towers, farmhouses, etc.).
An important archaeological site is that of ‘Grammata’ in Apano Meria, which took its name from the surviving ancient and medieval inscriptions found cut into the rocks. These are prayers and dedications to the gods that sailors carved on the rocks to ensure calm and safety on their journeys.
It is worth mentioning the ‘Helliniko’ Well at the site of San Michalis. Circular with a stone lining, it also has a corridor of stone steps. It is mentioned by old historians and scholars of Syros such as A. Fragkidis, F. Aron, and T. Anastasiou. Since it has not been excavated, its dating is not known for sure. However, its stonework recalls that of buildings of the Classical period.
The philosopher Pherecydes was born in Syros in the mid-6th century BC and was a teacher of Pythagoras. A cave in the southeast of the island bears his name.
Theodora Papagelopoulou, archaeologist Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades
