A pioneering figure (1864-1928) in Cretan archaeology and studies. As Ephor of Antiquities, he co-founded the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Hatzidakis. His excavations illuminated periods beyond the palaces, notably the Early Minoan Mesara tholos tombs (Koumasa, Platanos) published in "The Vaulted Tombs of Mesara", Neopalatial sites like Nirou Chani, and Geometric/Archaic Dreros. His wide-ranging scholarship included a critical edition of Erotokritos and studies of Venetian Crete.

Giuseppe Gerola (1877-1932) was an Italian historian, archaeologist, and art connoisseur known for documenting Venetian monuments in Crete. Commissioned by the Venetian Institute, he meticulously recorded the island's Venetian heritage, from fortifications and churches to public buildings and private residences. His efforts culminated in the five-volume "Monumenti Veneti nell' isola di Creta," a comprehensive work with detailed descriptions, architectural plans, and historical context. Gerola's legacy includes his contributions to preserving Italy's cultural heritage through his work in the Dodecanese islands and as director of the Museum of Bassano del Grappa and the Museum of Verona.