Excavations in the area started in 1969 by the Italian archaeological school and unearthed an extensive necropolis, which was in continuous use from the end of the Minoan era until the 6th century AD.
Graves have been excavated 680 and major findings (tombstones, vases, urns, etc.) are exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. On the edge of the cemetery, beside the road are in very good condition two domed buildings of Roman era (Siderospilia). Tradition says that these were tombs of Kings and that nearby there is also a third, full gold, who has not found yet ...