The island of Santorini today represents only a fraction of a volcanic land mass that had existed, tumultuously for ages. Once the circular extension of a volcanic cone the island was inhabited by traders and farmers influenced by the Minoan civilization. From art found at the ruins of Akrotiri it has been determined that these people had a well developed culture and extensive contact with the world of the Aegean. Some speculate that this civilization was the Atlantis that Plato described.