Ancient 'Cyclops' Wall Collapses

Ansa ^ | 1-18-2006

[blam]

Ancient 'Cyclops' wall collapses

Experts study rubble in central Italian town of Amelia

(ANSA) - Amelia, January 18 - Part of a massive wall started in around 600 BC around the central Italian town of Amelia collapsed on Wednesday morning for reasons still unclear .

The so-called Polygonal walls around Amelia are famous not only for their age but also their size. Built out of huge polygonal stones, they are 8-10 metres high and about 3.5 metres thick .

The 20-metre section of wall which collapsed was undergoing restoration work in recent weeks although activity had been suspended for a few days because of bad weather .

Central Italy recorded record rainfall in December, a fact which experts are taking into account as they study the broken section .

Police and fire services confirmed that no one had been hurt by the collapse. Scaffolding set up for restoration was destroyed and a car parked nearby was slightly damaged .

Located some 55 miles north of Rome in Umbria, Amelia was in ancient times called Ameria. The city was said by Latin author Pliny to have been founded at least three centuries before Rome .

Archaeological experts were expected to examine the rubble on Wednesday in efforts to see whether the collapsed section of wall could be rebuilt .

The 800-metre long wall, which now has a breach in the section to the right of the old city gate, has always impressed archaeologists for the skill with which it was built .

According to local legend, it was constructed by the Cyclops, the one-eyed monster encountered by Greek hero Ulysses .

Amelia was founded by Umbri king Amero who gave it his name .

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Sheesh, things just never last long, do they ?

[DManA]

It's never rained more in 2600 years? Uh huh. That must be it then. Can't be the "restoration" work.

Central Italy recorded record rainfall in December, a fact which experts are taking into account as they study the broken section

[Lx]

Were the palis digging underneath them?

[ruoflaw]

I am sure that Cyclops would be proud that it stood for as long as it did.

[spinestein]

[Part of a massive wall started in around 600 BC around the central Italian town of Amelia collapsed on Wednesday morning for reasons still unclear.]


They just don't build stuff like they used to. The thing was put up only 2,600 years ago and it collapses for no reason.

What a piece of junk.

/sarc

[Verginius Rufus]

The first criminal case won by Cicero, in 80 B.C., was on behalf of one Sextus Roscius of Ameria, a wealthy young man falsely accused of murdering his own father. Cicero's speech survives: the Pro Roscio.

[horse_doc]

Nobody was keeping their eye on it.

[Thinkin' Gal]

According to local legend, it was constructed by the Cyclops, the one-eyed monster encountered by Greek hero Ulysses .

[Cheburashka]

Sheesh, things just never last long, do they ?
---
Right after the warranty runs out...

[RightWhale]

Ameria. Might refer to Venus.

[Lijahsbubbe]

He had an eye for design.

[Fintan]

---

"Damn!!!"
 

---

Communist Goals 1963 Congressional Record

[Thinkin' Gal]

Located some 55 miles north of Rome in Umbria, Amelia was in ancient times called Ameria. The city was said by Latin author Pliny to have been founded at least three centuries before Rome .

Toss in a "c" and it throws back an omen! Beware of cities built without depth perception.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam. Sounds like the original builders just eyeballed it anyway. [rimshot!]

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
"Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

[Dustbunny]

The 20-metre section of wall which collapsed was undergoing restoration work

Maybe the weakened it.

[R_Kangel]

Oh well, I guess I'll have to scratch that place off of my "Things to See Before I Die" list.

bummer

[Old Professer]

Let's see if I've got this straight, they start hammering on this old wall that's been there for, like, about 2500 years because somebody figured out it was looking a little worn down and, then in the middle of winter and a heavy rainstorm, everybody packs up and goes home to dry out and the wall falls down and a whole bunch of smart people show up and are standing around in the rain looking at the busted up stones and gravel floating downstream and they're wondering what made the wall fall down, right?

[Larry Lucido]

Karl Rove and his band of levee-demolition engineers?