Posted on 08/04/2008 10:55:31 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Three year after part of a protective roof collapsed killing a British tourist, the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri on Santorini remains closed. Excavations have halted and the reconstruction of its roof is stuck in the wheels of bureaucracy. Tourism businesses on the island say they are losing money and prestige as a result.
In September 2005, part of a new 1,000m2 roof designed to cover and protect the excavations collapsed without warning, killing Richard Bennion and injuring many others. The site was immediately closed for investigation but inexplicably has remained so for the last 34 months.
"I can't say I'm pleased," Professor Christos Doumas, director of excavations at Akrotiri, told this newspaper. Doumas, in his mid-70s, has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to working at Akrotiri and is frustrated that he might not be involved in its final reconstruction and opening.
"The top of the ancient walls which were touched by the collapse of the roof were damaged," he continued. "Also, I was assured that this new structure would last three hundred years; resist 10 Richter scale earthquakes and 60 inches (130cm) of snow. But it couldn't even support its own weight."
The investigation into the cause of the collapse is still being held by the Greek courts. Faulty building methods have long been suspected, although no one is willing to confirm this.
Tourists and archaeologists have been prevented from visiting and appreciating the ancient remains as workmen haven't even commenced the task of repairing and rectifying the covering. The only progress to have been made is that the original contractors J&P AVAX have subcontracted the project to a UK-based firm.
(Excerpt) Read more at speroforum.com ...
Run-down heritage sites embarrass the Greeks
The Guardian | Monday June 23, 2008 | Helena Smith in Athens
Posted on 06/29/2008 10:58:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2038207/posts
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Their forebears built buildings like the Parthenon that still stand, but a relatively simple shed seems beyond their progeny.
I’ve walked through the site. It was amazing. I hope they get it reopened soon.
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