Despotiko lies about seven hundred meters southeast of the shores of Antiparos. It is situated in the middle of the Cyclades and on clear days it is possible to see other surrounding islands from Despotiko.
Currently, the island is accessible only by boat, from the island of Antiparos. The strait separating the two islands is only about a meter deep and the island of Tsimitiri is situated between the two. The strait, therefore, is very shallow. This might be because there could have been a link between Antiparos and Despotiko in ancient times.
According to several scientists. Paros, Antiparos, and Despotiko were connected into one landmass thousands of years ago.
Archaeologists say that the earliest indication of activity on the island date back to the Early Iron Age while the period of greatest prosperity is documented to have been in the middle of the 6th century BC. It was during this time that the Temple of Apollo was likely constructed. Along the temple, there were other ceremonial buildings, a banqueting hall, (hestiatorion), and an aqueduct.
Excavations have recorded 88 fragments of marble kouroi in addition to marble bases of statues of different types have been uncovered.
Excavations have also uncovered many artifacts from the archaic and classical periods, including vases, basins, bottles, lamps, pots and amphorae. Metallic objects were also found, They were estimated to be from the 6th century BC.
The project is led by Yiannos Kourayos a Greek archaeologist with vast experience and a wealth of knowledge in the field. In a recent interview, Kourayos compared the importance of Despotiko with Delos.
"Delos was under the influence of Naxos and later of Athens although there were offerings and sculptures from Paros," the Greek archaeologist told the press.
"What we now see is that Delos was a Hellenistic and Roman town. Despotiko must have been more important and attracted more worshipers from the surrounding islands compared to the one in Delos."
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