Kommos
Kommos is a Greek prehistoric Bronze Age port and archaeological site in southern Crete, 5 km north of Matala. It was a busy port with connections to the Near East that continued into historic periods; the rich finds and elaborate buildings reflect the importance of foreign trade for the Cretan economy.
The Rocks of Crete
The marine sediments are usually rich in calcium carbonate, and for that reason the rocks of Crete are about 60-70% carbonate in their composition. That is, they are constituted of limestone, dolomite and marbles which are found in nearly all the groups – nappes which form the island.
The spine of Crete is built from rocks called “Plattenkalk”. This group is constituted mainly by marbles of different ages which form an almost continuous range of rocks age-wise. The oldest ones are approximately 300 million years in age (Permian period), while the younger ones go back until 30 million years before present.
Thus att he base we meet schists, where have been found fossils which are scientifically veryi mpressive, such as trilobites and graptolites, white marble and grey dolomite with
very well preserved corals and other marine fossils. There follow the multi-colored rocks of stromatolitic dolomite with the reddish lines of the oxidization of iron. They are in reality the same fossilized rocks with those which primitive organisms began to shape on the earth billions of years ago freeing up oxygen into the atmosphere as they also do today in an area of Australia. Above the stromatolitic dolomite follow typical white marbles, yellow schist rocks which get their name from mount Gigilos of West Crete and finally the great mass of conventional platy marble (Plattenkalk). In thisg rey marble, alterations of white and reddish silica materials form thinner or thickerp lates which are the characteristic structural material of all the mountain ranges of Crete. These rocks began to be created approximately 140 million years ago and continued until 30 million years ago, when they began to be converted into a thin carbonate flysch.
On top of this hill you will have a great view over the ocean, the rocks of Crete, and the beach bellow. On your left there is a chapel ⛪ if you follow the road down you will find a nice taverna with amazing food!
In order to log you need to answer these questions:
1. Describe the rock and the layers behind you. Can you recognize differences in color and composition? Describe this
2. What kind of rocks can you find (please read the text above first)? Pick some up to feel the texture, look st the color, etc.
3. What can you see in the distance (in the sea). What stone/rock is it made of you think?
4. Describe in your own words, how the color of the rocks changes from top to bottom. Why is that you think?.
5. A photo of you with the view (not mandatory)
Happy caching!
Source: The Geological Heritage of Psiloritis by Dr C. Fassoulas.