Posted on 10/05/2006 10:25:11 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The ruins of Allianoi are among the few "asclepions" - or therapeutic centres - ever discovered. Testimony to the extraordinary sophistication of urban planning and hydrological engineering during the Roman era, archaeologists believe that with its curative waters, the spa city complemented the legendary asclepion at nearby Pergamon. There, patients were healed through psychotherapy to the accompaniment of music. Artefacts found on the site, including bronze surgical instruments, suggest it was a prominent health centre from the second century BC to the 11th century AD. Having survived earthquakes in AD 178 and 262, the site has been spectacularly preserved beneath alluvial soils... [T]he town of 52,000 people is divided. Some 500,000 tourists visited Allianoi last year. Locals realise that while the technology exists to build modern dams, it cannot "make the past" and the sort of monuments that draw the crowds.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Hasankeyf, in south-east Turkey: the historic site may be spared the floodwaters of the Ilisu dam, but Allianoi home to the worlds oldest known thermal spa - will not be so lucky if the Yortanli dam is opened. Photograph: Sean Smith
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Geez, I hope that if they do go ahead with the dam, that last part of the story will be true and that the alluvial silt will preserve the city for one day when maybe the dam is removed.
I think economic development is the best hope for Turkey to finally pull out of the shadow of Islamism, so it's hard for me to dismiss the dam completely. I went there as an exchange student when I was in High School so I have a soft spot for the country and people. If only they could guarantee a good local and national income from archaeological tourism! They need to play it up as the new Pompeii or something.
That's a wonderful thought. Certainly very few places in the world are as rich with important archaeological sites as Turkey, which has been the crossroads of empire throughout recorded history because of its crucial location.
Speaking of Roman baths, I was astonished when I took the underground tour at Bath in England a few years ago. Previously I'd thought of it as only the ugly scummy pool visible at the surface. But underground there's a whole world of Roman engineering and inventiveness. Anyone interested in archaeology should certainly take the whole tour when visiting.
"Certainly very few places in the world are as rich with important archaeological sites as Turkey, which has been the crossroads of empire throughout recorded history because of its crucial location."
No kiddin'! I'll never forget the feeling I had standing in the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul...absolutely my favorite place on Earth!
Sadly, so far my knowledge of Turkey is only from books. I hope to remedy that one of these days.
I'd be afraid to go if I had the opportunity these days... :(
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