Milos is volcanic in origin. It has come late into the sightseeing scene, having traditionally relied on mining as the mainstay of the local economy.
The island of Milos has been inhabited since the neolithic age and has known early prosperity due to a black, glass-like volcanic rock known as obsidian, used for tools and weapons. Phylakopi was an important settlement with a history extending over 2,000 years. Findings from Phylakopi include the flying-fish and fishermen frescos, as well as the Lady of Phylakopi statuette.
Milos is the discovery site of the famous statue of Venus de Milo, now at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The imposing 2.5 metres-tall statute of Poseidon displayed at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, is another example of the creative Hellenistic period.
