In Heraklion, on the Island of Crete, is the Knossos ruin site of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization which is considered the oldest city in Europe. People settled here since the Neolithic around 3400 BC. Excavation started in 1900 by British archaeologist Arthur Evans, who also “restored” some of the rooms and the frescoes. What is visible to us tourists dated back to the “New Palace” period of 1700 BC.