(former Karakiani or Kanakiani , probably Slavic names)

Ioannis Lolos (professor-UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA,department of history and arcaheology-archaeology and history of art section) was the director of the archaeological excavations in Mycenaen Acropolis at Kanakia . 

After six years of research excavation (whose results were presented by professor Lolos at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens) , it was discovered the home of the mythological Aiacid dynasty, the palace of Telamonian Ajax (a towering figure and a warrior of great courage in Homer's Iliad and in the Epic Cycle, a series of epic poems about the Trojan War). In an evidence-based approach , the palace was flourishing in the 13th century BC it was abandonned at the end of 1.200 BC. So, Kanakia was inhabited 3300 years ago!!! Arcaheologists confidently match the Mycenaen capital of Salamis in Kanakia, as the oldest capital of the whole island (which was a dessert according to Strabo-a greek geographer-between 64BC-24BC).

This town, referred as "Kychria" on an inscription's fragment (1st century BC,Acropolis Athens), has been a subject of research for travelers and archaeologists since the early 19th century. It is considered as one of the exceptional cases that a Mycenaen megaron can be attributed to this tragic hero. For the first time,it is documented the centre of an island hegemony and it has many differences at the production and the socioeconomic organisation in contrast with the big palaces of Peloponnese and central Greece.

The most important portable objects that were found at the excavation,have Cypriot or Eastern origin and verify the international relations of the centre. Some of them area piece of cypriot bronze ingot and a copper stip from an eastern type scaly armor,unique and sealed by the Egyptian stamp of Ramesses II.This exhibit is very significant for the spreading of the power that the Mycenaen Palace in Salamis used to have, but also for the history of the eastern Mediterranean in the 13th century.