Skarkos Archaeological Site

Address: Skarkos archaeological site, Ios, Cyclades, Greece

Skarkos is an Early Bronze Age settlement on the island of Ios in the Cyclades, Greece, dating to the third millennium BCE. It is recognised for well-preserved architectural remains from the Cycladic civilisation.

The excavated site includes terraced house foundations and streets on a low hill; it illustrates settled community layout and stone-built domestic architecture from the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologically minded visitors and students of prehistoric Greece visit to see the skeletal remains of a compact, fortified settlement.

Occupied during the Early Bronze Age, the site shows organised construction and long-term settlement consistent with Cycladic culture of the third millennium BCE. Fieldwork and excavation during the 20th century exposed walls, household deposits and urban layout that inform understanding of Aegean prehistory.

Skarkos sits on Ios island in the southern Aegean Sea, on a low hill above the modern inhabited areas, accessible by local roads from the island’s main ports and settlements.

• Prehistoric settlement: Represents one of the best-preserved Early Bronze Age settlements in the Cyclades, with terraced ruins on a hill above the modern village areas of Ios.

Skarkos is on the small island of Ios. Ferries run from Santorini and Naxos to Ios’ main port; from the port take a short taxi or a 20-40 minute walk uphill to the archaeological site near the village of Chora.

• Visit early in the day to avoid the island's late-morning ferry crowds; the low hills around Skarkos are most atmospheric in the cool light.
• Respect the fragile archaeology - the site is an exposed prehistoric settlement and walking only on marked paths helps preserve the ridges and walls.