In January 1866, a significant event shook the lives of the residents of Santorini, as well as the whole of the South Aegean and Crete, attracting worldwide scientific and political interest. A series of explosions and sinkings occurred in the large closed bay between Thira and Thirassia, heralding explosive phenomena that would last from January 1866 to October 1870.

In this context, a prehistoric structure was discovered in Thirassia during the extraction of volcanic earth destined for port works in Suez. This structure was the first of its kind in Greece, long before Troy, Knossos, or Mycenae. This explosion marked a turning point in the study of volcanoes, as at the time of the eruption, the new sciences (geology, biology, paleontology) were experiencing significant developments.

The same goes for the related theoretical explorations and historical syntheses through the new sciences as well, such as sociology and anthropology. However, this did not happen for the prehistoric structure that was revealed simultaneously, as it quickly fell into oblivion.

As for archaeology, the second half of the 19th century also represents a period of development and formation of an archaeological field focused on classical Greece and Rome, while the first prehistoric archaeologists methodologically followed the geosciences, mainly regarding Paleolithic research in France and Spain.

The present volume highlights the multiple and unexpected aspects of the interaction between political events and scientific developments brought about by the new data in the Thira bay and the slow recognition of a "Greece" that existed "before Myth and before History"...