Internet Security giants Kaspersky help restore Santorini Neolithic wall paintings

The Archaeological Society of Athens will have the technological support of Antivirus Internet security giants Kaspersky Labs, in their ongoing efforts to restore beautiful wall paintings in an archaeological excavation site at Akrotiri, on the island of Santorini.

The ancient settlement is known as the ‘Pompey of Greece’ and excavations on the site started back in 1967 by the late Professor Spiridon Marinatos, who is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the subject of Santorini. Akrotiri is a Cycladic settlement founded during the later stages of the Neolithic era.

The settlement thrived and developed into a large city before being literally buried under the volcanic ashes of the Thera eruption, one of the largest in destructive force recorded in human history. Russia based Kaspersky’s CEO and Chairman Eugene Kaspersky said he had visited Santorini many times in the past and was in awe by its beauty and culture. “It is indeed the crucible of European civilization”, he said, adding that he was especially excited to participate in the extremely important project and research to bring to light some of treasures that are part of a unique ancient civilization.

Dora Vassilikou, board member of the Athens Archaeological Society said she hoped one day the beautiful murals in Akrotiri could be placed on display in a museum. Kasperky’s involvement does only cover the technological aspect of research and restoration but they have also backed the translation and publication of the book ‘Akrotiri Santorini: The biography of a lost city’, which was authored by Nano Marinatou a Greek professor in archaeology and Minoan civilization.