Poliochne

Poliochne is an ancient settlement on Lemnos island with remains from several centuries of prehistory. Excavations reveal houses, pottery, and water management systems that reflect how residents lived in this elevated coastal location.

The settlement began around 3700 BC and passed through several phases named after pottery colors, from simple huts to organized urban structures. Each phase shows how building techniques and daily life evolved over time.

The settlement served as a trading hub connecting nearby islands and regions across the Aegean, where merchants exchanged metalwork and pottery. These networks show how early communities maintained contact through maritime routes.

The site is open to visitors who can walk among the excavated structures and study the layout directly. Plan your visit during cooler morning or late afternoon hours to stay comfortable in the summer heat.

The site contains traces of public gathering spaces and early administrative buildings that reveal how the community was organized. These structures suggest that some form of organized communal governance existed here in prehistoric Europe.