The archaeological site of Monastiraki occupies the top and slopes of a low hill in the valley of Amari, between Mount Idi and Mount Kedros. During World War II, the site was excavated by German officers/archaeologists. The first systematic excavation begun in 1980 by the Emeritus Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion, Dr Athanasia Kanta. In 1982-1984, a Greek-Italian archaeological mission led by the Emeritus Director of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, Dr Yannis Tzedakis, and the Professor of the University of Naples, Federico II, Louis Godart, carried out an excavation. The excavation was continued by the Emeritus Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion, Dr Athanasia Kanta.



The long-term systematic excavation has revealed an extensive settlement of the Protopalatial period, dating back to the MMI-MMIIB period (c. 2000-1700 B.C.), with all the characteristics of a palatial center of the period, such as monumental architecture, urban organization, archives of sealings, extensive workshops and storerooms, official dwelling quarters, places of worship and collective assembly.