The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the largest and most popular museums in Greece, houses and showcases in its fully renovated exhibition the outstanding material remains of the ancient cultures that developed in Crete over seven millennia, from the Neolithic period to the late Roman era.

This detailed archaeological-historical guide, richly illustrated and based on the findings of contemporary scientific research, aims to guide the Museum's visitor and, more broadly, the reader, like another thread of Ariadne, through the captivating labyrinth of Cretan archaeology. It follows the evolution from Neolithic communities to the splendid Minoan civilization, the first advanced civilization in Europe, whose most famous creations are exhibited in the Museum, highlighting their complex structures, cultural reach, and mythical resonances.

It also describes important collections from historical times, representing the creative expression of Crete as part of the Greek and subsequently the Roman world. The presentation includes brief references with images of the main archaeological sites from which particularly noteworthy exhibits originate.