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	<title>Love of History &#187; monument</title>
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	<link>http://loveofhistory.com</link>
	<description>A historical perspective of current events</description>
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		<title>Diolkos: Passage of Shame</title>
		<link>http://loveofhistory.com/diolkos-passage-of-shame/</link>
		<comments>http://loveofhistory.com/diolkos-passage-of-shame/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:23:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[constantinakatsari]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ancient]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ancient]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corinth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diolkos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isthmus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monument]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://constantinakatsari.wordpress.com/?p=116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Before I even start writing today’s post, I should state that I am NOT a crypto-activist. My love for the ancient world, though, prompts me to bring to your attention some monuments, which are in need of protection. One of these is the ancient Diolkos, the pathway (6-8 km) from the Saronicos to the Corinthian Gulf, which allowed boats to be transported overland. It facilitated the transportation of goods and people, whether these were destined for commerce or for military campaigns. It remained in operation from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. After the last systematic excavations in the early 1960s , the monument has been left to deteriorate gradually but steadily. The erosion of the ship movements in the canal is its biggest enemy. You can clearly see in the following video how they affect the monument. Protests have begun already 18 years ago. Today they continue with the help of Sofia Loverdou who noted the problem and started a campaign in order to save Diolkos. She sent emails to archaeologists and beaurocrats alike, she pestered the Ministry of Culture in Greece with letters, she participated in several forums online… and yet, nothing happened. Even when Diolkos became news in the BBC News Channel, there was not enough incentive for the Greek authorities to act. So, the monument is continuously buried deeper and deeper under sand or water. In the following photographs you will take a glimpse of what is left. Maybe this is the only way to preserve it… by committing it to memory. In the following picture you can see what is left from the erosion of the monument. In the next two pictures you can recognise the inadequate attempts to keep some parts into place.]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Destroying Greek Heritage: The Temple of Aphrodite in Porto Rafti</title>
		<link>http://loveofhistory.com/destroying-greek-heritage-the-temple-of-aphrodite-in-porto-rafti/</link>
		<comments>http://loveofhistory.com/destroying-greek-heritage-the-temple-of-aphrodite-in-porto-rafti/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:54:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[constantinakatsari]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aphrodite]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[archaeological excavation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[destruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greek]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hellenistic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heritage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monument]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[porto rafti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[temple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tourism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://constantinakatsari.wordpress.com/?p=104</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How many countries do you know that dedicate themselves to destroying their own heritage? How many countries do you know that, at the same time, profit from their classical tradition? Greece must be one of them. The Greek government and the Greek people are proud for the development of two industries: shipping and tourism. Of these, tourism relies heavily on the existence, upkeep and advertisement of its ancient monuments. The ministry of tourism focuses its campaigns on the “fact” that Greece is the cradle of western civilization… and banks on it! It is a pity, though, that the anticipation of future profits does not guarantee the preservation of the majority of the archaeological sites. Take as an example the Temple of Aphrodite, depicted in the picture on the left. Oh I am sorry! Do you find it hard to distinguish the high columns, the elaborate marble decoration or the magnificent statues? You should not blame your archaeological skills for your inability to identify the monument. The building in the picture is the monstrosity erected on top of the Hellenistic Temple of Aphrodite in Porto Rafti. Porto Rafti is a well know (to the Greeks) summer resort in the Eastern coast of Attica. It claims the existence of a Mycenaean cemetery, the fort of Koroni (which was used during the Chremonidean War), a Late Antique Church and cemetery and, last but not least, the aforementioned Hellenistic Temple. Only traces of the above monuments exist. In the case of the temple, though, they made certain that no “ruins” would be visible, not even to the eye of a trained archaeologist. The destruction of the Temple of Aphrodite started only recently. Since I live in the area, I found out about the rescue excavation and visited it three years ago. I noticed the good quality Hellenistic pottery and the strong foundations of the temple. No archaeologist was around, and so I conversed with the two Albanian workers, who explained to me the significance of the project. They also told me that part of the temple was noticed only after the building company (whose name and details is seen on the right below) started the erection of the modern shopping centre. At the time, I have not taken any photographs, as I know from personal experience that it takes the good part of a decade to uncover a building of that size. I was wrong! When I visited again last month the whole area has been covered under piles of dirt. I searched in vain for traces of ancient materials. And my questions are the following: How is it possible the excavation was completed so quickly? Why wasn’t the local community informed of the significance of the excavation? Why weren’t there provisions for the preservation of, at least, part of the building? Why did the technical company of Koutsoumbos and Son, responsible for the new shopping centre, opted for creating a car park on top of the temple, instead of laying out a glass pavement? Can anyone blame me for being angry at the erection of the mostrosity seen below? What do you think?]]></description>
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