Ancient Kommos flourished during the Minoan period, particularly in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, serving as a vital center for trade, maritime activity, and cultural exchange. The site is characterized by its strategic coastal location and its connection to nearby centers such as Phaistos and Hagia Triada. Archaeological evidence suggests that Kommos played a key role in the economic and political landscape of Minoan Crete, with a range of structures including storage facilities, public buildings, and a sanctuary. Despite its prosperity, the town experienced a decline around 1200 BCE, likely as a result of the broader disruptions affecting the Aegean during the Late Bronze Age collapse.

circa 7500–30 BCE

The settlement at Kommos dates back to the Late Neolithic period (circa 6,400–3,500 BCE), but it became a major urban center during the Middle Minoan period (circa 2100–1875 BCE). At this time, the site expanded to cover around 1.5 hectares, and monumental buildings were constructed in the southern, flatter area. After an earthquake during the MMIII (circa 1600 BCE to 1450 BCE) or LMI period (1450 BCE to 1400 BCE), the settlement was rebuilt on a larger scale, possibly expanding to 3.5 hectares. During the early Late Minoan III period (circa 1400 BCE to 1200 BCE), however, although commercial activity reached its peak, the living standards of the residents declined. Kommos was abandoned around 1200 BCE after the LMIIIB phase (circa 1300 BCE to 1200 BCE) and was never reinhabited to the same extent. It continued to serve as a sanctuary until the Hellenistic era (323 BCE to 31 BCE).

The Minoan name of the town remains still elusive, but it has been suggested that the name of the city during antiquity may correspond to the Classical-period settlement of Amyklaion (Αμύκλαιον), linking it to Amyclae. Robin Lane Fox speculates that Kommos could be referenced in Homer's Odyssey (3.296), where it mentions "a small rock holds back the great waves". This "small rock" is likely the Papadoplaka reef, and the submerged sandy shore extending to the coast would have created a natural harbor.

circa 1600–1400 BCE

Kommos, located on the coast of the Mesara Plain, was one of the major population centers of the Minoan civilization. It lies in close proximity to the Palace of Phaistos and the town of Hagia Triada, together forming what has been described as the "great Minoan triangle." The archaeological site is situated near Kommos Beach, a popular destination for swimmers today. In ancient times, the Papadoplaka reef islet partially sheltered the town from waves and wind, although much of it has been submerged over the centuries due to rising sea levels and damage caused by German bombings during the Nazi occupation of Crete.

The Minoan city of Kommos was divided into two distinct areas by a broad, stone-paved road. The northern, hilly sector was predominantly a residential neighborhood, while the flatter southern area contained civic buildings and public structures. The site itself is stratigraphically complex, with layers of remains from various periods often found directly on top of each other, reflecting the long history of the settlement. This complexity offers valuable insight into the city's development over time, highlighting its dynamic evolution.

Kommos was not only an important urban center but also played a significant role in Minoan trade and maritime activities, given its coastal location. The site provides rich archaeological evidence of Minoan life, including pottery, tools, and architectural features that shed light on the society's daily functions and cultural practices.

circa 1420–1330 BCE

Building P: Ship-sheds
Archaeological structure designated as "building P", dating to the LMIIIA period (circa 1420-1330 BCE), has been described as "perhaps the most curious" structure at the site. It consists of six long, narrow galleries that resemble Minoan storerooms in their layout. However, unlike typical storerooms, the galleries are open on their western sides, suggesting that their contents were left unsecured. This open side faces the sea, which has led archaeologists to interpret the building as an early example of a ship shed.

Unlike Classical-period (circa 800-500 BCE) ship sheds, however, building P is not located on the shoreline and lacks a slipway. This difference has led to the hypothesis that the building was used for long-term storage, rather than for the immediate docking of ships. Supporting this interpretation is the discovery of residue from hematite anti-fouling paint, as well as the presence of a similar structure at Knossos's port of Katsamba.

Building P was constructed over the eastern wing of the earlier "building T" and is the largest known Minoan building from the LMIIIA era, making it easily identifiable at the site today. It is also significant for being the location where the majority of "short-necked amphoras" were found.

circa 1020 BCE

Temple A
The so-called "templ-A" was built as a simple rural shrine, originally built at the Subminoan period around 1020 BCE at the then-abandoned site.

circa 800-600 BCE

Temple B
The "Temple B" replaced the earlier "temple-A" sometime during the Archaic period (circa 800 BCE). At this point in time, ancient Kommos was once again a stopping point for sailors, and finds from "temple B" attest to its international connections. The temple complex included a Phoenician tripillar shrine around which were found imported faience figurines of the Egyptian gods Sekhmet and Nefertum. This temple was abandoned sometime around 600 BCE, a time of reduced religious activity throughout Crete.

circa 800-480 BCE

Building Q: Wine Stores?
The large structure (designated as the "building Q") runs diagonally from the bottom right up to more or less the centre, dates from the Archaic period (circa 800-480 BCE); most of the other visible remains to the left date to the Late Minoan era (circa 1470-1420 BCE). Building Q was most likely used to store wine; it overlaps Buildings T and P (among others).

circa 400 BCE–150 CE

Temple C
The so-called "Temple C" was the latest one in a sequence of temple buildings on the site. It was built in the Classical era around 400 BCE and remained in use until around 150 CE. The "temple C" was of more ambitious construction, and this building consisted of a single rectangular room and was typical of Cretan temples in its lack of exterior columns. The temple originally had two statues, though all that remains of them are the statue bases and one eye, leaving the identity of the deities worshipped here uncertain.