Petition for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles

[Theo]

Greece is built on antiquities. When they dug for the construction of the underground metro, archaeologists had to give clearance for every location. Thousands of artifacts were recovered, including ancient cemeteries. Part of the findings are on display behind glass at various stations of the metro throughout Athens. Many more had to be reburied as there is no way to preserve every ancient relic there is.

 

[Gerry]

Greece is built on antiquities. When they dug for the construction of the underground metro, archaeologists had to give clearance for every location. Thousands of artifacts were recovered, including ancient cemeteries. Part of the findings are on display behind glass at various stations of the metro throughout Athens. Many more had to be reburied as there is no way to preserve every ancient relic there is.

There was a documentary on that (and other digs). I can not recall whether it was the travel channel, discovery, History Channel, or Nat Geo.

Archeology is fascinating.

Even on my property, there are at least three "trash pits" with artifacts dating back to the 1700's. That's old for the US. Old Salem and Wake Forest wanted to do a dig on my property but wanted ME to sponsor it (aka, "pay for it") as well as they keep all the artifacts. Needless to say, that never happened. I have found some fascinating "junque" and Indian artifacts.

We have a cemetery on site with the oldest readable headstone about 181(0?) - may be a 3 or 8. There is also a slave cemetery (well hidden and secret) with shallow graves and no headstones. That land is no longer part of my property but was at one time.

 

[Ulysses]

Throughout hundreds of years, the Brits have robbed so many national treasures, And they destroyed so many in the process.

For people who really appreciate these treasures, it's a sick feeling knowing there in a Country where they don't belong... I personally believe every artifact the British has in their Museum should be returned to it's Country of origin, including what they looted from the Valley of the Kings before Tutankhamen was discovered, But that's wishful thinking on my part, it's not going to happen and I doubt it will happen with these Marbles, The British Museum is not going to return something that draws a large crowd and could hurt tourism.

And by remote chance, If they do it for Greece, other Countries will expect the same consideration.

There are many countries around the world that are holding treasures and works of arts that were taken forceably, the worst cases are of countries being taken from the indiginous people of that country, just look at USA, it belonged to the Native Americans, mant races were slaughtered, same with Australia. So the Marbles issue pales into insignificance compared to the suffering that the indiginous people of the lands suffered!

 

[Gerry]

There are thieves and charlatans in every race and nation. Smuggling antiquities out of Greece is nothing new. The world media seem to be fixated on Greece right now, however. I mean, most Americans yap about the state of Greek economy and don't realize Goldman Sachs is sucking their blood out.

PS I have Kouros.net btw

and I have GreekSculpture.net :smile:

I was tickled to death to get that name, just as elated perhaps when I heard the news that these two Kouros were found.

---------- Post added at 04:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 PM ----------

There are many countries around the world that are holding treasures and works of arts that were taken forceably, the worst cases are of countries being taken from the indiginous people of that country, just look at USA, it belonged to the Native Americans, mant races were slaughtered, same with Australia. So the Marbles issue pales into insignificance compared to the suffering that the indiginous people of the lands suffered!

Not to mention Nazi looting of works of art and treasures.

I did not catch but the tale end of a piece of news regarding four (I believe that was the number) paintings at a California (?) college library that are being returned to the rightful Jewish heirs in Europe.

 

[keyser]

Keyser, have a great time, enjoy your stay! Don't forget to visit the Acropolis Museum (the 'old' one is atop the hill, the new one is at its foot).

I also suggest you visit Delphi as well!

Forgot to mention guys, but it was damn great. Everything but the taxi drivers !
People even offered several times their finest pots of jam for free in the countryside. Wow

Wine from Nemea is much better than French one; trust me.
Not mentioning Delphi, Archaia Corinthia, Limni Vouliagmenis...

feta cheese is served sliced

Actually, it should be called "Bulgarian feta" according to several educated sources, because of milk

 

[Theo]

Hey keyser, welcome "back"

The taxi drivers are called "yellow fever" in Greece. Not all of them are bad though but all truth be told, those that are willing to screw foreigners they will.

I'm glad you had a great time, in the countryside. Nemea is where Hercules killed the lion In antiquity there were lions in Greece (and other wild animals). Nemea does have some great wines, I hope you took some home with you. How far north did you travel?

"Feta" is a protected mark of origin, meaning that you can't say "Bulgarian feta" on a product (even if it's made using the same process) you can only say "Greek style cheese".

 

[MAllie]

There are thieves and charlatans in every race and nation.

Yes, native Americans might have something to say on that.

But I definitely think the Greeks have never been the same since they lost their marbles. Maybe returning them will result in the birth of another Socrates.

And, of course, the Brits stole a lot of our people and used them to populate some of their colonial outposts. So I'm definitely signing.

 

[keyser]

Hey keyser, welcome "back"

The taxi drivers are called "yellow fever" in Greece. Not all of them are bad though but all truth be told, those that are willing to screw foreigners they will.

I'm glad you had a great time, in the countryside. Nemea is where Hercules killed the lion In antiquity there were lions in Greece (and other wild animals). Nemea does have some great wines, I hope you took some home with you. How far north did you travel?

"Feta" is a protected mark of origin, meaning that you can't say "Bulgarian feta" on a product (even if it's made using the same process) you can only say "Greek style cheese".

Not exactly a problem with the taxi drivers, same shit happens almost everywhere. Was my only "half-bad" experience there
Was aware of the Hercules stuff, even part of the trip following such glorious footprints lol

Even went, not that far from Nemea, to Lake Stymphalia, rented a room in Kastania, well, you get the picture.

After that, enjoyed Mykenes, as I left my hotel alone (GF already visited the site), in the early hours of the day, walking to the ancient cyclopean citadel, hautingly beautiful...
Managed to find ancient places like Lechaeum (Corinthian Gulf) and Cenchreae (Saronic Gulf) !

Then 2 days farniente in Loutraki and Limni Vouliagmenis (Heraion), where I was about to sleep in a weird bed and breakfast, Procrustes style in the shape of an old keeper and his Vietnamese hottie ^^
Anyway, we drived later on to Thiva (a bit disappointing), then Delphi (no words needed since its the center of the world lol) from our Galaxidi HQ. A shame we did not have time to visit Hosios Loukas.

Next year, Vergina, Pella and stuff Last year, went to Athens and Hydra
Luv Greece for years, and probably till the end.

Concerning the feta, I was just a bit "ironic" since most of the feta (so Greek style cheese sold as feta ?) produced in Greece is made of Bulgarian milk, since it seems there is a lack of milk supply in Greece compared to the current consumption. Many restaurant owners and a good Athenian friend of mine, 72 years old, confirmed this
Not a big deal anyway, as I have put on several kilos thanks to the great food !

About the Nemean wine, I obviously came back with 2 bottles :yes:

Apologizes for being "slightly" off-topic.

 

[alex_d]

Next year, Vergina, Pella and stuff Last year, went to Athens and Hydra
Luv Greece for years, and probably till the end.

Sounds like you had a great time. Last summer I went on a driving tour around the north of Greece - amazing landscape and scenery - completly different to the south and the islands. I also paid a visit to Vergina - it was amazing !! Words cannot describe that place - the archaeological site there where you can see the grave of Phillipos ( Father of Alexander the Great ) is an experience I will never forget.

Alex