The Diolkos case - please sign petition

[sofia-l]

An ancient monument in Greece needs our help. The Diolkos, the famous paved road constructed around 600 BC and used to transport ships by land over the Isthmus of Corinth, is unique in its kind but it has never been protected since the time of excavation (~1960).

In an effort to save and restore the structure, we have created an international petition. Being new in this forum I can't post URLs , but you can reach the petition from korinthorama.gr (www) front page, bottom right...

Please sign and help preserve this historical monument.

Although the Greek Ministry of Culture has finally shown some interest, the monument remains exposed and - given the VERY LOW credibility of the mechanisms involved - the Diolkos is still far from safe...

The petition is at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005

[sofia-l]

Although relevant services advertise their "interest" in Diolkos, the erosion continues to expand under the supposedly "sane" part of the monument. As it does, both ancient blocks AND their immediate substrate are hanging over a void!

I still don't know what was decided in a meeting that took place 2-3 weeks ago at the Ministry. I have the impression that MAYBE a permanent wall to protect Diolkos was discussed. However, ANY such decision would be of VERY doubtful value if it meant that more deterioration will be allowed untill actual protection work is undertaken.

Respect and attention for Diolkos are still lacking...

In November, the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments (DAAM) sent a team to retrieve two ancient blocks fallen in 2007. Nevertheless, the second stone they brought up was NOT the one fallen last February (as instead they wrote in their official report!), although I had personally shown images of the stones (in two occasions) to the present Head of the Ephorate. Apparently, DAAM and the local ephorate did not coordinate...

During the same visit, in order to place some supports under some stones, the DAAM team entered the sane part of Diolkos WITH THEIR VAN although there is a very convenient and easy to find access from another point. Since the operation was done in collaboration with the local ephorate, one can be sure that neither the local ephorate people nor DAAM knew or cared to look for the other access that wouldn't have a vehicle go over the ancient monument!

==-===

One more thing that shows how deplorable the role of the local ephorate has been under the former Head, Mr. Mantis (today at the Acropolis!!!), is this:

I had written to ask about a damage I had noticed on the part of Diolkos that is on the Attica side of the Canal (and is free from erosion). As I quite recently found out, Mr. Mantis wrote to his superiors stating that they had performed an autopsy and nothing was wrong!!!

I DO hope Mr. Mantis does better as Head of the ACROPOLIS ephorate!

[admin]

Sorry for the URL thing, we do this to prevent spam.

I will post the url if you pm me.

Euxaristo

[athena]

Originally Posted by sofia-l

Although the Greek Ministry of Culture has finally shown some interest, the monument remains exposed and - given the VERY LOW credibility of the mechanisms involved - the Diolkos is still far from safe...

I know,because my husband worked for the archeology in Kavala,that the Ministry of Culture gave money for a lot things only when Melina was the
Chief in there.
My husband used to work at the Byzantine Archeology in Kavala and they had many Projects.
They all stayd half made since Melina was gone from the Ministry.
Even 15 years later.......

[sofia-l]

I don't know who was Minister of Culture in 1985, but it was at that time that the Canal Company and the Ministry of Culture got into some kind of "understanding", after which an obligation of the Corinth Canal Company to proceed to a study for the "preservation" of Diolkos was forgotten.

I strongly doubt whether the Ministry had been able to guide the Canal Company into this study, anyway...

The Ministry has always fallen terribly short of their obligations and they have consistently lied, too!

One can reach the petition by searching for ANCIENT DIOLKOS at the internet.

Some links to articles can also be found at korinthorama (preceeded by www and followed by gr) - first page, bottom right...

[athena]

Originally Posted by sofia-l

I don't know who was Minister of Culture in 1985, but it was at that time that the Canal Company and the Ministry of Culture got into some kind of "understanding", after which an obligation of the Corinth Canal Company to proceed to a study for the "preservation" of Diolkos was forgotten.

I strongly doubt whether the Ministry had been able to guide the Canal Company into this study, anyway...

The Ministry has always fallen terribly short of their obligations and they have consistently lied, too!

One can reach the petition by searching for ANCIENT DIOLKOS at the internet.

Some links to articles can also be found at korinthorama (preceeded by www and followed by gr) - first page, bottom right...

It was Melina in 1985............

[sofia-l]

Well. Athena, the Ministry of Culture was then - and still is - very seriously ill!

"High" officials were then - and still are - incompetent, easy to bend by "symferonta"...

It is not Melina's fault, certainly, BUT politicians HAVE to see the problems and SOLVE them, not wait till the responsibility is somebody else's...

[admin]

The petition is at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005