4,000-year-old Crete hilltop site mystifies archaeologists

The ruins of a 4,000-year-old hilltop building newly discovered on the island of Crete are seen from above (Greek Culture Ministry via AP)

A big, round, 4,000-year-old stone building discovered on a Cretan hilltop is puzzling archaeologists and threatening to disrupt a major airport project on the Greek tourist island.

Greece’s Culture Ministry said that the structure is a “unique and extremely interesting find” from Crete’s Minoan civilisation, famous for its sumptuous palaces, flamboyant art and enigmatic writing system.