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| Photo taken by drone on Sept. 9, 2016 shows relics of a Roman building, 40 meters long and 15 meters wide, under water near Epidaurus in the region of Argolis at the Saronic Gulf. For the first time, the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, a special department of the Greek Ministry of Culture which is responsible for the preservation of ancient relics under sea, proceeded to the topographic mapping of the area in collaboration with the official new agency of China, Xinhua News Agency. (Xinhua/Panos Tomadakis) |
by Alexia Vlachou, Liu Yongqiu
ATHENS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- With a recent land, aerial and underwater topographic mapping of ancient Epidaurus conducted by Greece's
Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and China's Xinhua News Agency, more
light was shed to the underwater treasures in Epidaurus, one of
Greece's legendary cities.
Reflecting
the history of the Greek culture, the ancient Epidaurus is among the
most popular archaeological sites in Greece, in a small valley of the
Argolida peninsula in the Peloponnese.
Epidaurus, home to the famous healing center in the antiquity, provides valuable insights into the Greek and Roman times.
During
the fourth and third centuries BC, endless conflicts in the area led
people from all over Greece and the Mediterranean to seek protection and
help from the healing god Asclepius, making the sanctuary one of the
richest of its time.
Surrounded
by a preserved natural landscape, the sanctuary of Asclepius comprises a
series of ancient monuments, including the temple of the god, the altar
of Apollo, the Tholos, the stadium, the banqueting hall and the
renowned theater -- all considered unique examples of the late classical
Greek architecture.
Among
them, the ancient theater of Epidaurus is famous for its symmetry and
incredible acoustics. This exquisitely preserved theater has revived as
part of an annual festival with performances from Greek and foreign
productions dedicated to ancient Greek drama every summer since 1954.
In
1881, excavations began under the guidance of Panagiotis Kavvadias of
the Greek Archaeological Society who devoted his entire life to
Epidaurus and to uncover the sanctuary's most important monuments. In
1988, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus was added to the UNESCO
List of World Heritage Sites.
SOURCE:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/09/c_135815653.htm
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