Very little is known about Kimolos in the earliest period. The earliest evidence of human habitation is provided by Neolithic finds on the East coast, at Provarma. On the west coast, at Ellinika, graves and pottery from the Mycenean era (around 1500 BC) up to the late Hellenistic period (1st century BC) have been found. Finds from around the 7th century (the geometric period, named after the style of vases) such as an ancient cemetery containing 22 graves and a large quantity of pottery suggest that there was once a thriving settlement on the island.
An ancient city once stood on the present-day islet of Agios Andreas, which at that time was joined to the island of Kimolos. An earthquake of unknown date must have caused the submergence of the land between, and separated Agios Andreas from the main island. Today you can see the ruins of the ancient city both on the island and beneath the sea.
Similarly, there is little evidence for the history of Kimolos during Classical and Hellenistic times. In the Classical period, Kimolos was a member of the Athenian Alliance. The main town was still in the same place, the most fertile part of island. As it is obvious from the coins found dating back to this period, the goddesses Athena and Artemis were worshipped on the island.
The last mention of the ancient city is in Roman times, when according to Pliny there was extensive exploitation of the “Kimolian Earth”, mainly used at this time as a soap. The settlement of Paleokastro, below the summit of the highest mountain in the island, is from later times, boasting remains such as polygonal walls and a gateway on the western side known as ‘Portara’, and traces of buildings and cisterns.
Source: Kimolos High school environmental team (http://gym-kimol.kyk.sch.gr/english/index.htm)
Photo cover: www.wondergreece.gr