Greece Hotels Learn the Secrets of the Ancient Islands

Ancient Greece gave many things to the modern world including the foundations of mathematics and the sciences. Holidaymakers visiting the mainland or the islands will also discover that Greece continues to surprise and confound modern scientists and archaeologists with more recent findings. Tourists staying in Greece hotels can visit the capital, Athens to see some of the artefacts that have been recovered from the Dokos Shipwreck, the oldest known shipwreck in the world dating back past 2500BC. Due to its age many artefacts perished but divers did manage to recover many ceramic containers from the wreckage. The Antikythera wreck is probably the most fruitful discovery of them all and again most of the treasures were taken to Athens after being discovered. Among them were some excellent marbles and also priceless bronze statues like the Philosophers head. However the Antikythera mechanism is its best artefact. The mechanical device is as sophisticated as a mechanical watch made by the Swiss masters of early modernity and scientists believe it was an accurate way of mapping celestial bodies for navigating the oceans or some similar purpose. Holidaymakers visiting Crete, the largest Greek island can see artefacts recovered from La Therese, a French Navy vessel that sank late in the 17th century after an on board explosion. The largest Greek island has a very long history so holidaymakers have a good choice of cultural visits, beaches and inland hikes to choose from. The ruins of the Royal Palace at Knosos are interesting and should precede a trip to the Irakleio museum where holidaymakers can learn more about the ancient Minoans through their artefacts and the other wonders they built on the island. Bodrum hotels on Turkey’s Aegean coast are also popular for holidaymakers who enjoy the Greek islands as they are often close to or on the coast and have excellent views of both Kos and Rhodes. Holidaymakers staying in Bodrum have a pick of excellent beaches to choose from and can visit the historical old city for a memorable excursion looking through artefacts left behind by the ancients. The imposing Castle of St John is Bodrum’s most popular visitor attraction and houses a wonderful maritime museum full of artefacts of all shapes and sizes that have been salvaged from the Aegean and Mediterranean seabeds. The artefacts include glassware dating back to the first century BC and ceramics from the same and later periods. The museums most interesting collections are the shipwrecks, some of which are Bronze Age. There are also Byzantine shipwrecks in the museum’s Glass shipwreck hall. For holidaymakers that want to have a look at the ceramics and other vessels that were used to transport foods and liquids the Amphora exhibit is a very comprehensive collection. The Castle of St John is a very good if slightly unexpected treat for holidaymakers staying in Bodrum and Gumbet hotels.