The first inhabitation of Elafonisos took place during the Neolithic period, in which is noticed the first inhabitation of people in Greece. Elafonisos is the first area of Vatika, that was inhabited 8000 years ago, (6000-3500 b.C), when Neolithic settlements were noticed in the areas of Saint Andrew and Agia Trias, in the land opposite of it, with which the island was united at the time until 375 a.C.

THE AGE OF COPPER (3000-1100b.c.)

FIRST-HELLENIC CIVILIZATION (3000-1900 b.C.)
About 83 settlements were noticed in that period in whole Peloponnesus. In Elafonisos was noticed the First Pre-Hellenic settlement of Vatika and also that of South Laconia. Findings of the First-Hellenic period were discovered in the positions: Pavlopetri, Foudianika, Lefki, Kournospila, Kato-Nisi, Vigla e.t.c. that prove that Elafonisos disposes civilization of 5000 years. Prehistoric Elafonisos was related to Kithira, the islands of Aegean Sea, Crete and Evia (Manika), as is proved from the relevant findings. The first Hellenic civilization of Elafonisos is in same period with the first Cycladic and the first minoan civilization and Mr. Siriopoulos in his book "Prehistory of Peloponnesus" mentions that civilization came in Peloponnesus and Continental Greece from Elafonisos Monemvasia and Plitra.
Middle Copper Age (1900-1600 B.C)
In that period it is not noticed appearance of new settlements in Elafonisos and Vatika. But still exist some prehistorical inhabiting of the first Hellenic  and especially the very important settlement in Pavlopetri.
Later Hellenic or Mycenean period (1600-1100 b.C.)
Is one of the greatest periods of the civilization of Peloponisos and Greece. In Elafonisos was developed a great Mycenean town during this period, that in the area of Panagia (Kato-Nisi), while findings were discovered in the settlements of Elafonisos and in Pavlopetri.
The pottery art during the period of copper
The ceramic frunctions belong to the Firsthellenic II with obvious the brims of the cups sandy made and of sparkling technique, with thick horizontal widened brims lower down, where often have straps of engraved decoration. The technique is smooth and there are signs of "Urfirnis" paint (first polished -bright dark varnish) of dye, that was the most developed technique of Neolithic period.

TEMPLE OF ATHENA, APOLLO AND POSEIDON
Temple of Athena:  The Great traveler and geographer of antiquity, Pausanias, who visited the island in 155-160 b.C. gives us a significant information about the existence of sanctuary of Athena in Elafonisos, which was built by Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, on the 10th b.C. century. The location, where it was, probably in Vigla, 2 km from the village and didn’t dispose statue and roof when Pausanias visited it. The inhabitants of Elafonisos, adored for 1000 years the goddess of wisdom and their high civilization level, impresses, considering that Athena’s adoration started in Vigla 300 or 500 years earlier than other places, like Athens (Erehthion, Ekatobedon, Parthenon), Rhodes (Lindos) e.t.c.
Paris according to the tradition took refuge in the sanctuary of Athena together with beautiful Helen, when they left Kranai, where they stayed until the time they left for Tria.
Temple of Apollon: The great historian of antiquity, Thoukidides mentions the existence of the Sanctuary of Apollo in an area exactly opposite of Kithira. The temple was built before 6th or 5th cent. b.C. probably in the area of Lefki, where many ruins from antiquity have been found.
Temple of Poseidon: There are trustworthy indications for the existence of the temple in the island, which at that time was at the west part of cape Maleas.

The grave of Kinadis
Sparti’s king Menelaos built in Elafonisos, monument for the governor of his ship Kinadis as Pausanias, who visited the area informs us. As the most possible area for the construction of the monument, is regarded to be the area of Panagia in Kato-Nisi.

The Peloponnesian War (431-404)
Two principal cities, Sparti and Athens, with clear political and culture contradiction, stroked each other in that war.Elafonisos, Vatika, Kithira, acceded to the Peloponnisian alliance.
430/429 b.C. Operations from the side of Athenians through the channel of Elafonisos, under General Formion.
426 b.C. Operations from the side of Athenians through the channel of Elafonisos, under Generals Dimosthenes and Proklis.
425 b.C. Athenians rushed out with forty ships under the command of general Dimosthenes, on the south of Peloponnisos, through the channel of Elafonisos.
Athenians conquer Elafonisos on 413 b.C.
After the invasion of Spartins in Attica, Athenians in order to take revenge, equipped two squadrons under the leadership of Harikles and Dimosthenes and with 95 trireme and 25.000 men captured Elafonisos on April of 413 b.C. The inhabiting of Elafonisos, in that time, mainly was built on Isbtmus, which because of it’s sinking, is today a straight and Thoukidides mentions it as ‘Isthmus village". Athenians desolated one part of Isthmus and fortified it in order to use it as a base and also as place where Ilotes (slaves) could desert. These walls today, lay in the bottom of the sea. The possession of Elafonisos, was fatal for Athenians, because of the inexcusable delay of the military reinforcement they had their worse defeat of their history in Sicely, Dimosthenes was executed there and Peloponnesian war, turned in favor of Spartans.
406 b.C. Aristophanes mentions Elafonisos in his drama "Vatrahi" (=frogs).
336 b.C. Date of the formation of the Greek alliance under the leadership of Filippos. Elafonisos, Vatika and Kithira remained between the neutral Greek states.

Roman and Byzantine years
146 b.C. The Romans occupy Elafonisos.
32 b.C. The united navy of Markos Antonios and Cleopatra comes in the channel of Elafonisos before the naval battle in Aktio.
22b.C.Date of the formation of the Union of Free Lacons in which participated Vatika (Voies) and Elafonisos.
Stravon (66 b.C.- 23 a.C.), the famous geographer of antiquity, visited Elafonisos and mentions that, there, was a harbor. Is the first person, that mentions Elafonisos with the name of those days as peninsula of "Onon Gnathos" (= donkey’s jaw-bone)(V1115. 1.).Ptolemeos mentions it as "Onou gnathos acra". (Peninsula with the name "jaw of a donkey").
The terrible earthquake of 375 a.C.
In November of 375 a.C., after the death of Onalentinianos, an earthquake, that according to Zosimos was ecumenical, agitated from the ground the beaches of Laconia, many parts of Elafonisos and buildings as well went down to the bottom of the sea while the branch which was bridging Onou Gnathos with the opposite land, started to overflow from water In this way an "Hellenic new island" was born, "The newborn island of the azure spring", "Walking on the wave Elafonisos".
386b.C. Saint Jeronimos, in his letter to Marcella, says that the course of the ships t Jerusalem is the same in the Hellenic- roman years as it was during Middle ages, that is t say through the Channel of Elafonisos.
535a.C. The navy of Joustinianos (60( ships) with Velisarios overflows the Channe of Elafonisos, in his expedition to Carhedona The Byzantine Castle of the island
The island has an important castle, that dominated on the overseas road between Easi and West and was built between 6th and 7th cent.a.C., as we are informed from the Arabian manuscript no 276 of the National Library of Paris. The castle was called Ashab al Baqar, which is interpreted as the "Island of those with the dears" and is the first historical evidence for the name of island.
The temple of Saint Valerios, Vikentions and Evlalia
A sarcophagus from Varchelona with holy bones of saints came to the island in a miraculous way, according to what is written in the holy text of the bishop of Monemvasia Paul, was the cause for the building of a very beautiful temple.
The destruction of the island from the Sarakinians
In the middle of 9th cent., Sarakini, after Crete’s possession (824a.C.) under Abon Hafs Onlar A’, invaded in Elafonisos that was destroyed in a non similar way, not only in its own history but even in the whole Greek history.
Sarakinians possessed the island, destroyed its strong fortification and exterminated the inhabiting. A civilization of 4000 years was destroyed and Elafonisos will be deserted and uninhabited for hundred years. The bay of Bmrakiniko, that is an uncontradicted witness all these, which have the name of  the pirate, for more than a hundred years the "Nest the Sarakini pirates".
Domination of Franks - Enetian -Tourks
1203 The 4th crusade with leader Erico Dandolo goes through the Channel of Elafonisos, before it invades in Konstantinoupolis.
1207. Elafonisos comes under the possession of M. Venieris, who ruled Kithira in a feudal way. Elafonisos will follow the historical course of kithira for more than 600 years.
1316: A big part of the island was transferred to Leon Kasimatis.
1364: Elafonisos and Kithira came under Enetians.
1385: Elafonisos and Kithira are attributed from the Enetians again to Venieri’s family.
16 cent.: In the beginning of the century Enetians take again possession of Elafonisos and Kithira when the Enetian domination really started.
1501 The French navy under admiral Filippe Klevin wrecked in the Channel of Elafonisos after the blockade of Mitilini.
1544 The French traveler S. Maurand, escorting the turkish ship of Hairentin Barbarossa, refers Elafonisos, Kithira and Kayo MaIm.
15 cent.: Portolanes mention (15-18 cent.) to Lafonisia, as reference point of sea-courses.
1572:  The first Venetiantourkish naval-battle on 7th and 10th of August between the Spanish prince and triumphed of Naupaktos (1571) Don Zouan and the notorious Algerian pirate Ulutzali whom after his brave resistance in Naupaktos, the Turkish promoted him as admiral. The most important persons of the naval-battle of Naupaktos, one of the biggest of the international naval history, fought again in the bay of Sarakinico and in the Channel of Elafonisos with their two huge fleets. After a wild fight which lasted many days, Don Zouan managed to drive the strong and new built tourkish fleet (250 galley, 8 smaller ships and many supporting smaller ships) to Mani. The naval-battle of Elafonisos, was the last worldwide naval-battle, between big fleets navies, that took place with rowers.In that naval-battle, with the powers of Don Zouan participated, and was a great hero, although he was injured, the author of the famous novel of the international literature "Don Kihotis" M. Thervantes. He has included certain persons and events of this in the chapter "The captive says in history" where also is mentioned Ulntzali (Abuts Alis).
1685: Hasan Pasas, administrator of Mani, ‘gave up the Castle of Zarnata to the general commander in chief of Venetians, Fragiskos Morozinis with the trim: 1000 persons of the garrison to be transmitted safely in Elafonisos.
1699: With the convention of Karlovitz is recognized the domination of Enetians in Elafonisos (like Kithira, Antikithira, Vatika).
1715: The Turks conquer the island.
1717: The second Venetiantourkish naval-battle of Elafonisos.
Pizanis, the admiral of the Enetians invaded with 33 ships from Mani in order to meet the turkish fleet (52 Sailing vessels, 4 galleys and many supporting small ships) in Sarakiniko of Elafonisos, where it was anchored. At last they were met outside of Agliftis and Nisia of Panagia of Elafonisos and after eight hours of intensive and murderous fight, Pizanis, sent the Turkish fleet once and for all down at the bottom of the sea with the help of the Greek fireships. Head pirate of Kanka Moustis, who was rescued, arrived to Strofades (small islands) mangled 20 hermits, Saint Dionisios’ holy body and robed the Monastery of Pantocrator. Since then the Holy body carried to Zakinthos and Saint was recognized as the protector of the island.
1718: The third Venetian tourkish naval-battle of Elafonisos.
The tourkish fleet under the leadership of Souleiman Kotza, with 36 sailing-vessels, on the 20th of July gave a battle fight with a part of the Venetian fleet (26 ships) under the leadership of Markandonis Diedos in the sea area which is extended from Lepto Akrotiri to Mavroudi and Piso Kalogira and was destroyed from Enetians, while the rest of the fleet was rescued to Kithira. This naval-battle was the last operation of the Venetiantourkish war, one of the biggest and long-lasting wars of the world, which was ended on 21st of July 1718 with the convention of Pasarovits.
1790: The legendary admiral Lampros Katsonis, after the distraction of his ships from Turks and Algerians in Andros, was rescued in Elafonisos, where 300 persons of 4 his crew stayed there for ever. At the end of the Enetian domination, the famous Italian Jiakomo Kazanova passed through the Channel of Elafonisos, and stopped in Kithira, where he liberated Enetian exiled.
1797: With the convention of Kaboformio, Elafonisos (together with lonian islands) is given to the French. Napoleon the Great, for expediency reasons, established Aegean Perfe-cture where were included Elafonisos, Kithira and Antikithira as well as Zakinthos
1800: Russia with Turkey signed on 9/21 March the convention of Konstantinoupolis, which was recognized the establishment of the Autonomous state of Eptanisa. In that was included Elafonisos as well as Kithira and Antikithira.
1803: In the first, officially established Greek state "Democracy of Seven Islands" Elafonisos was participating.
1806: On 25 March, Th. Kolokotronis, the General in command of the Greek revolution was rescued in Elafonisos in Kato Nisi.
1807: with the convention of Tilsit, Eptanisa came again to the French and with it Elafonisos, Kithira and Antikithira
1809: English take Kithira, Elafonisos and Antikithira under their domination.
1815: Elafonisos comes according to the convention of Paris to the English.
1816: The leader of Mani Theodorobeis Grigorakis is arrested with guile from the Turks, in Elafonisos, and is killed in the prison of Konstantinoupolis.
1821: On 25th and 26th of September Spetsiotika ships of the revolutional struggle come into the port of Elafonisos for supplies. In the autumn, Karavas’ of Kithira inhabitants killed 50 Turks, that were on a ship and the responsible took refuge in Elafonisos and were the new inhabitants of the island.
1822: On 11th of February A. Miaoulis undertakes the general admiralty of the united Greek fleet (63 warships) in Elafonisos. Since that time the Greek navy visits Elafonisos and very often and uses it as a base, while during the years 1825-1826 Elafonisos and bay of Vatika in front of it, are the marine Basis of the Struggle.
1825: On 12th of June in front of Elafonisos  in the gulf of Vatika the ship "Nireus" from Hydra exploded with more than 50 dead, while the whole leadership of the Greek navy was expected on board for lunch. On August, the fleet returns from Elafonisos after the capture of Mesologi.
1826: On the first day of the year the Greek fleet is in Elafonisos for the last expedition to Mesologi.
1827: The war council of admirals in Elafonisos.
On 30th of September Henrie Derigni with the French squadron came in Sarakiniko of Elafonisos for repair of his ships. On the 8th of October 1827, early in the morning, English admiral Eduard Kodrigton, the leader of the Russian squadron rear-admiral Logginos Heiden and rear-admiral Henrie Derigni, in a council of the admirals, aboard the flagship "Asia" on the blue sea of Sarakiniko of Elafonisos took the most serious decision of the New Greek history:"Hebraem stops every military operation or he’ll be attacked from the allied fleet". A few hours later the naval-battle of Navarino, was caned out, the Turkish and Egyptian fleet was destroyed, and Greece was liberated after 400 years of slavery.
1828: Announcement of the "de facto" annexation of Elafonisos in Greece by Kapodistrias.
1839: The English high commissioner Douglas visited Elafonisos and was impressed from its strategic location and it’s good harbor and then English demands for the domination of the island, according to conventions, started.
1841: Revolutionaries, who gathered in Elafonisos, proclaimed the Revolution of Crete.
1849-1850: Heavy aggravation of the Greek-English relations for the matter of Elafonisos and island Sapientza. The English demand that the inhabitants of Elafonisos should leave, and without a serious reason they block the Greek ports (1850) and follow"Parkerika". France reacted badly and Russia through Persiani announces that it protects Elafonisos and Sapientza. The English stopped the embargo and on 6th of July 1850 ambassador Whish and the Greek minister of foreign A. Lontos, signed a treaty, which was ending the English claims.
6th of July 1850 (historical anniversary of the island) is the most important date of the History of Elafonisos, because at that time ended the foreign domination of the island, that lasted for more than one thousand years from the middle of 9th cent. to the middle of 19th cent.
1940: Elafonisos was occupied from the Germans. The people from Elafonisos with their boats rescued many people from Crete transporting them into Crete thus contributing to the resistance of the large island.

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