Parthenon Sculptures: "Liberation" - Status quo in Great Britain 'no longer tolerable’

While the debate over the return of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece is still open, "Liberation" comments in an extensive article on the British public opinion which is in favor of such a possibility.

In the French "Liberation", journalist Juliette Démas refers to the debate opened in Great Britain on the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens and highlights the fact that the majority of public opinion is in favor of the return of the Greek marbles to their country of origin.

Juliette Démas recalls British Museum President George Osborne's remarks last December about "constructive" talks on a future agreement between the United Kingdom and Greece, and points out "that these hopes have been denied by both the Greek prime minister and the British government itself."

The article highlights British Culture Minister Michelle Donnellan's statement to the BBC that " effectively brought all discussions to a halt" and warned that any return of the statues would mean "opening Pandora's box", leaving the field open for other nations to also request the return of their exhibits from other country's museums as well.

"The British Museum and the Ministry of Culture have been throwing the ball to each other"

The article in Liberation refers to the long-running dispute between the Department of Culture and the British Museum, which, according to the report, have been "throwing the ball to each other" under a 1963 law that prevents the museum from selling or returning its collections.

A law that the government refuses to amend to ensure that "the Parthenon Sculptures [...] rightfully belong to the trustees of the British Museum" acting "within the legal framework" has led to the situation being blocked for a long time.

"Politicians and heads of these institutions thought they could avoid the issue, but this attitude is no longer possible because public opinion has changed," says Dan Hicks, professor of modern archeology at Oxford University and author of the book "The British Museums". The journalist refers to the latest YouGov poll, according to which the British are in favor of returning the marbles to Greece, with 53% in favor of their return and 20% against.

"Attitudinal change in the return of objects in Nigeria"

The journalist refers to the return of objects to Nigeria in 2022 from other British museums looted in the late 19th century, such as that of the University of Cambridge, the University of Aberdeen and the Horniman Museum in South London.

She believes that this is "a sign of a change in mentality that can already be seen in France, which returned the treasure of the Kings of Abomey to Benin in 2021, or in Germany, which has pledged to return several thousand objects to Nigeria, including bronzes from the ancient kingdom of Benin.

Referring to the Vatican's announcement last month that it would return three fragments of the Parthenon to Greece, she points to the campaign for the return of the marbles by British figures such as writer and actor Stephen Fry, who compares the "removal of the Parthenon sculptures to that of the Eiffel Tower from Paris or Stonehenge from Salisbury", but also to the opinion of Dan Hicks, who states, "No one is calling for the return of all museum objects. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis"

He recalls the controversies surrounding the restoration of works looted by the Nazi regime, noting, "This kind of debate is over and we have learned a lot from these restoration methods. What we are witnessing now is not a culture war, but simply an evolution of morality that goes hand in hand with a shift in public opinion. In fashion, the consumer is no longer just interested in a T-shirt, but asks where it came from and under what conditions it was made. The art consumer asks himself the same questions and wants clear answers: Is there someone, somewhere, who wants this object back?"

Regarding the conditions in the British Museum where the friezes and statues are kept, the journalist notes that "despite the large openings in the high ceilings, the room is dark and cold, and the beige marble is even grayer.".

A student's opinion is quoted, saying, "I have just returned from Athens, where I visited the Acropolis Museum. Its gallery is magnificent, bathed in sunlight. So I understand that the Greeks want to recover these statues, but does not the scandal surrounding them make them a little more interesting? If we start returning all the recovered items - because they were not stolen! - we will be left with empty museums. Not to mention that we have been taking care of them for two centuries."

For Evelien Kampfens, a lawyer specializing in international cultural heritage law and issues related to art theft and researcher at Leiden University in the Netherlands, "these issues should not be looked at from the perspective of ownership, but rather from the perspective of access and control."

"Who has the right to access and control these objects, and where is their location? With some monuments and objects, it's possible that multiple groups will have legitimate claims, and then creative solutions need to be found," she says, adding, "The ideal is not to return all cultural property to its country of origin, but if it's a heritage that is significant to a community, it makes sense for them to have a say in its management. Museums could then continue to display objects from around the world, but on one condition: The story told there is the right one, and interested communities can participate in the exhibition."

According to Juliette Démas, the British Museum is far from doing this. Its explanatory notes say that Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, "acquired" the sculptures and that the sultan "gave his consent.".

"In a brief chronology, it says that in 1816 Parliament considered and approved Elgin's action. The ambassador's biography particularly emphasizes the condition of the Parthenon, which was then under Ottoman occupation, and portrays Elgin as the savior of a common heritage between Greece and the United Kingdom," says Juliette Démas, underscoring the incredulity of some visitors to the British Museum, such as 74-year-old Helen, who says: "To be honest, I wonder why they are here," and Lindsey, 26, adds, "I do not think many people would miss them if they went to Greece. With documentaries and new technologies, there are other ways to see them. Sure, it's a part of history, but not necessarily a history to be proud of.

Lord Elgin: "foolish plunderer' or 'restorer of good taste"?

In another article by the same journalist entitled: "Parthenon Marbles: Lord Elgin, ‘foolish looter’ or ‘restorer of good taste?’”, reference is made to the story of Lord Elgin. Juliette Démas notes that by bringing the marbles of the Parthenon to London, the British diplomat alienated many of his contemporaries and eventually went bankrupt.

Will the Greeks see the Parthenon sculptures again?

The return of the Parthenon sculptures is also mentioned by Fabien Perrier, Liberation's correspondent in Athens, who reports that a brief offer by Britain has suddenly dashed Greece's hopes for an early return of the Parthenon Marbles, which were looted in the 19th century and are now on display in the British Museum in London. He cites a January 11 statement to the BBC by British Culture Minister Michelle Donnellan.

Referring to reports in the Greek press, such as the newspaper "TA NEA", which indicated that "a long-term cooperation" between the United Kingdom and Greece "should allow the reunification of the frieze in the Acropolis Museum", he wonders if this was a “method of self-subjugation? An attempt to pressure the British government? An attempt to pressure the British government? Or a miscalculation on the part of the Greeks?", noting that "either way, Mitsotakis had to make statements the same day Donelan said these".

"In front of the cameras, during his monthly meeting with the President of the Republic, the Greek Prime Minister admits: "I do not expect immediate results," adding: "If the world trusts us again, I believe that we can achieve the goal of returning the marbles, with absolute respect for the red lines that all governments have established.". According to the journalist, the prime minister "just before the parliamentary elections in the spring, is turning these marbles, an object of national pride and a source of diplomatic tension for decades regardless of the ruling party, into an electoral tool.".

This pride dates back to the time when ancient Athens shone over Europe in the 5th century BC, he notes, and then refers to the great works of the era of Pericles, as described by historian Francois Queirel.

For Professor Louis Godrard, honorary president of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, "it is not a monument like the others, but a symbol. It honors the values that constructed the spirit of Greece: democracy, which emerged in 508 BC, and the essential role of man in history. After all, Plutarch in the 1st century AD described the city as " clothed in the splendor of the ages, made by a living breath, inaccessible to aging". Subsequently, reference is made to the history of the Parthenon up to the sacking by Lord Elgin.

We are reminded of the struggle of Melina Merkouri that began in 1982 and what she said at the Unesco General Conference in Mexico, the constant denial of the British and their argument that the sculptures were acquired legitimately, that their exchange between museums is prohibited by one of their laws, or that they are better preserved in the British Museum than in Athens,  but it says that this argument was "weakened in 2009 with the opening of the magnificent Acropolis Museum" and "collapsed in September 2019 with the images of water leaks in the gallery of the London Museum.".

The complaint of the Minister of Culture, Linas Mendoni, is highlighted "the state of neglect of the British Museum strengthens the just demand of Greece for the permanent return of the sculptures to Athens and their reunification with the Parthenon", which, as Fabien Perrier points out, the Greeks repeat it since "Melina", arguing that "these pieces of marble form a unity and tell an essential story about Greece and Europe".

"In the second half of the 20th century, at the instigation of Greece and Italy, people began to believe that it was indecent to demolish monuments in that way. From now on, the opinion is repeated to return these items in order not to mutilate the history of a country", reports Professor Gonar, stressing that in this context, although discussions between the two countries have been at a standstill for years, diplomacy allows progress, referring to Unesco's 2018 proposal to the Greek and British governments to negotiate and its 2021 decision that Greece and the United Kingdom should intensify their efforts to reach a satisfactory agreement under its auspices.

"There is hope for Athens, which wants to obtain recognition of ownership of the Parthenon Marbles," claims a source with knowledge of the matter, according to the journalist, adding that "since the end of 2021, numerous political meetings have taken place with the president of the British Museum, George Osborne, Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016, who now works at an investment bank.".

"The Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, they all traveled to London to bring back the Sculptures," the journalist reports, and the Greek side's interlocutor clarifies to Liberation that "these negotiations are actually conducted by our Prime Minister personally." The Greeks wanted to believe it: "He wanted to reach a mutually beneficial solution. Proof that Athens is pursuing a policy of high diplomacy: the restoration of the marbles in exchange for works from the Acropolis Museum to fill the gaps created in the British Museum", reports Louis Godard, with the journalist saying that in the minds of the Greeks this was the deal. According to him, a source confides to the newspaper that "Greece bet that the marbles would stay here if they were returned.". At this point, a reference is made to a NYT research into the intentions of the British.

"On January 11, however, everything went wrong. Is it because diplomacy and intergovernmental negotiations took place in direct exchanges between the Greek prime minister and the president of the museum (who does not have the power to change the law on exchanges between museums)? Or because in Greece the leftist opposition raised the question of ownership of the marbles? Or because the British were afraid of being deceived?" asks the journalist, while the president of the Association of Greek Archeologists states that "in any case, the statement of the British minister proves that the exercise of an international cultural policy, such as the claim of the sculptures of the Parthenon, requires patience, continuity and sensitivity, and must be based on scientific arguments such as the ones of museums or Unesco.". For her, there were actions in the run-up to the elections that were useless or even threatened to lead to a step backwards. The statement of the British minister, which shows that the case is closed, is also the worst thing that has been expected for a long time.

"Certainly, the government has tried to give the public the impression that it is fighting to bring the marbles back to the country. For the Nea Dimokratia party, announcing their return would be a success, which would undoubtedly allow it to garner votes in the spring parliamentary elections," Perrier said.

Parthenon sculptures: this is what the British museum is demanding in order to return them to Greece

The Parthenon sculptures "belong to the United Kingdom" and there is no intention to return them to Greece, said British Culture Minister Michelle Donelan.

Speaking to BBC Radio, she pointed out that returning them to Greece was not in the UK's intentions. "They will not be returned. That is not its intention. It has no intention of doing that," Donnellan said of the British Museum, among other things.

However, British Museum representative Connor Watson said that "we are considering long-term partnerships" and noted that the Parthenon sculptures "belong here in the UK" and should not be returned to Greece.

Mr. Watson was asked to comment on the statement, saying, "As the chairman of the commissioners recently said, we are acting within the law and will not disband the museum's collection as it tells the story of humanity. However, we are looking for long-term partnerships that would allow some of our most important exhibits to be shared around the world. Discussions with Greece about a partnership for the Parthenon are ongoing.".

This is why archeologists are not able to uncover the first kilometer of the Via Appia

Italian archeologists trying to uncover the first kilometer of the famous Via Appia, the longest road of ancient Rome, are showing pessimism because groundwater makes it impossible to dig deep.

Appius Claudius Caecus began construction of the "queen of all roads" (regina viarum) in the 4th century BC, connecting Rome to Brindisi on the southeastern tip of Italy, a port of strategic importance for the entire Mediterranean region.

The "first kilometer" of the Via Appia is believed to be near the ancient Baths of Caracalla, about eight meters below the surface. However, months of efforts by archeologists to bring it to light are expected to be abandoned in the coming days.

Excavations reached a depth of six meters, but "groundwater is preventing us from continuing," archeology professor Riccardo Santangeli Valenciani told reporters.

However, the excavation is not considered a failure, as it revealed important finds: among them an ancient Roman statue and one of the oldest coins minted in the Papal mint (690-730 AD).

Ten impressive museums to open in 2023

2023 is a year of highly anticipated museum openings and reopenings

1. The New Cold War Museum in Denmark

Starting February 13, visitors to Denmark can experience the Cold War from a new perspective at Regan Vest - a former nuclear bunker that was one of the country's best-kept secrets for decades.

Deep in the Rold Skov forest, 200 feet below the earth's surface, Regan Vest was built in the 1960s to protect the Danish government and its queen in the event of a nuclear emergency. It was never used for the purposes for which it was built, and today's reconstruction of the entire 60,000-square-foot space gives us a glimpse into life during those decades that shaped life in Europe.

Visitors can take a guided tour of this self-contained, underground retreat, where many of the original furnishings from the time of its construction can be seen. The site also includes a new above-ground museum consisting of four black-box-like structures.

Exhibits highlight the lives of Danish citizens during the Cold War, the political fronts leading up to the war, and even the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima on the other side of the world.

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2. Grand Egyptian Museum

Perhaps this will be the year that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opens, which is on the list of most anticipated cultural events from 2020. While the exact date of the opening is still uncertain, GEM has officially announced that it will be sometime in 2023.

Objects from all over Egypt have been transferred to the 870,000-square-foot museum, which will be the largest archeological museum in the world, forming a large collection of ancient treasures. For the first time, the entire collection of King Tutankhamen's treasures will be on display, along with objects from Egyptian pharaonic culture to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history.

Twenty-three years ago, the Egyptian government launched a worldwide competition to design a new museum complex, and a site just two kilometers from Egypt's greatest monuments was chosen as the museum's headquarters.

Heneghan Peng Architects won the competition, and the ambitious project got underway, but had to be interrupted several times due to economic and political problems that determined the fate of the country. The museum was in danger several times due to financial problems and the consequences of the tourism recession, which emptied the country's coffers.

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3. Nevada Museum of Punk and Rock Music

Loyal fans of rock and punk music will get their own Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, which will showcase the influence of punk rock on art, fashion and pop culture. The museum, which opens its doors on March 10, spans 12,000 square feet and was created by the "Punk Collective" a group of musicians and industry experts that includes Vinnie Fiorello, former drummer for U.S. ska punk band Less Than Jake, and Fletcher Dragge, guitarist for Pennywise.

Their goal is to preserve the punk rock movement for future generations and to bring the culture of the "illegitimate stepchild of rock 'n' roll" to new generations, following the motto "Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM ", which paraphrases the title of the Sex Pistols' historic record.

The Punk Rock Museum houses the world's most extensive and comprehensive display of artifacts, pamphlets, photographs, clothing, instruments, handwritten lyrics, artwork and pretty much everything donated by the people and bands involved in the creation of a musical movement and culture of an entire era.

Of course, a store where you can buy T-shirts, sweatshirts and other punk products is not to be missed, and the museum will have its own tattoo studio.

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4. International African American Museum in South Carolina

The International African American Museum (IAAM) will open in the first half of 2023. It is a 1,000-square-foot facility on Gadsden's Wharf, which was the first destination for about 100,000 enslaved Africans during the heyday of the international slave trade.

Visitors to the museum will learn about the history of slavery in America and how South Carolina became a reference point for the international slave trade. They will also find exhibits about the spread of African American culture and the ways African Americans have shaped American politics and the struggle for racial justice.

The museum's permanent collection includes nine different rooms and nearly 300 works of art and historical artifacts that document the untold stories of African Americans, including the Gullah Geechee Room, which highlights the cultural practices of people from West Africa who were brought to the American Southeast.

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5. Amelia Earhart Museum in Kansas

At the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Atkinson, Kansas, the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, a museum honoring her enduring legacy will open this spring with a series of exhibits that capture her adventurous spirit.

Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Central Pacific near Howland Island in 1937 while attempting to circumnavigate the globe. Her life, career and disappearance continue to capture the public's interest today. The American aviation pioneer, author and women's rights activist was the first woman to cross the Atlantic alone and the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland.

In the hangars that house the museum, visitors can admire Art Deco designs reminiscent of the 1920s and '30s that shaped the history of aviation. Through 14 interactive and immersive exhibits, they learn about Earhart's life, from her childhood in Kansas to her work as an engineer and nurse to her involvement in aviation. With virtual reality goggles, they can experience a transatlantic flight and face the same weather challenges Earhart did in the Lockheed Vega 5B.

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6. Museum of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Seoul

The country's first museum dedicated to artificial intelligence and robotics will open in Seoul's Chang Dong district in July 2023. Four floors will be dedicated to robotics and computer-related exhibits, with drones and other systems on display.

The innovative museum, which is scheduled to open in July, covers an area of about 7,400 square meters, and the idea was to create a space that looks futuristic. In fact, robots were used in the construction of the museum, so it's already proving what technology can do before it even opens.

The idea behind the museum is to support public education in robotics technologies, an area in which the South Korean economy has invested heavily.

The museum will not only promote the public's knowledge and interest in the technology, but also give the next generation of developers and technology enthusiasts access to some of the most cutting-edge developments. The "Robot Wonder Museum," which is affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Museum, was designed by Melike Altinisik Architects of Constantinople.

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7. National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh

The National Gallery of Scotland, opened in 1859, is not a new museum. It is designed in the neoclassical style, which was popular in Britain in the 19th century. In January 2019, work began to expand the exhibition space. Despite the planning restrictions that apply to this part of the Scottish capital, visitors to the new museum will have a completely different feel and experience.

The new part of the museum, which will open in the summer, faces the famous Princes Street Gardens and creates a new access to the rooms. The first phase of the National Gallery of Scotland project was completed in 2019. It included a new entrance to the gardens on East Princes Street, a new café, a renovated restaurant, and new landscaping and walkways to improve access to the gardens and galleries.

Delays to the project were due to underground extension work beneath an iconic 19th-century building with modern 1970s additions, located above one of Edinburgh's busiest railroad tunnels.

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8. The Manchester Museum

In addition to the opening of the Co-op Live Arena and Factory International, Manchester will celebrate its museum in 2023, opening to the public on Feb. 18 after a £15 million renovation that will showcase the museum's historic collections and new exhibitions.

The Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, opened in 1890 and is considered one of the largest university museums in the United Kingdom. The original neo-Gothic building, designed by famed architect Alfred Waterhouse, houses some 4.5 million objects designed to give the public a glimpse into archaeology, anthropology and natural history.

Among the new rooms is the South Asia Room, created in collaboration with the British Museum. It is the first permanent room in the United Kingdom dedicated to the experiences of South Asian diaspora communities. There will also be the new Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Hall, the Belonging Hall, a brand new dinosaur exhibition and the Golden Mummies of Egypt.

Although the old facade was preserved and could not be replaced, the Purcell architectural firm involved in the renovation project decided that a two-story addition in a much more modern style would help refresh the building.

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9. Factory International in Manchester

A new contemporary art museum and cultural center inspired by the 1990s Madchester music scene is set to open in Manchester in June 2023.

Called Factory International, the museum is described as a "global destination for art, culture and music". It is named after Factory Records, an independent record label that was crucial to both the Madchester movement and the careers of many bands associated with the scene, including New Order, Happy Mondays and Joy Division. The company was founded in the late 1970s by Tony Wilson and also operated the infamous Haçienda nightclub.

Designed by Rem Koolhaas' OMA, the museum is located on the site of the former Granada Studios in central Manchester. It will consist of three main spaces: the first floor, a warehouse with a capacity of 5,000 people and a hall with 1,600 seats. It will host art exhibitions, concerts, theater and opera performances, and will also be the permanent venue for the biannual Manchester International Festival.

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10. Bengaluru Museum of Art and Photography

We rarely mention museums in India. The Bengaluru Museum of Art and Photography, scheduled to open in February, is expected to become one of the most important museums in the state of Karnataka. The southern city of Bengaluru has been chosen as the ideal location for a new visual arts museum that will cover all types of visual media from the last thousand years or so.

The diverse styles of South Asian art will be on display at the Museum of Art and Photography, which has a significant collection of works by Indian artists. In total, some 60,000 works of art have already been added to the collection, and the museum hopes visitors will be able to participate in a "comprehensive journey" through Indian visual culture.

In addition to the many paintings and reproductions in the museum's collection, there are also some 21st century artworks that can already be viewed digitally, such as "Painted Stitches, Woven Stories - II", a digital exhibition that focuses on Indian textile designs over the years.

What did ancient Greeks think about snow? - Scientific and philosophical views

In many parts of the world, winter is the season when it snows. Although this is less common in Greece than in northern Europe, it has become more common in recent years - especially in February.

Homer used it as the basis for several metaphors and similes in his epic poems. But what did the Greeks really think about snow? There are several myths about snow, such as its origin and causes. There are also comments of the Greek philosophers on this subject.

Did the Greeks like the snow?

Homer's mentions of snow in his epic poems show how the Greeks generally viewed it. The Odyssey describes the Elysian Fields, which in Greek mythology are equated with the afterlife, reserved for those who have the approval of the gods. It was supposed to be a kind of paradise. Homer describes it as a place "where life is easier for people. There is no snow, no heavy storm, and no rain there."

(Elysian Fields is a conception of life after death that developed over time and was maintained by certain Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults. It was originally separate from the Greek underworld - the realm of Hades. Only mortals associated with the gods and other heroes could cross the River Styx. Later, the concept of who could enter the river was expanded to include the chosen of the gods, the righteous and the heroes. They would remain on the Elysian Fields after death to live a blessed and happy afterlife, indulging in all the pleasures they had in life.)

Accordingly, snow was apparently considered a burden in life and not something to be enjoyed. It was viewed as an annoying evil in everyday life, like storms or rain. Whether Homer's comments reflect the views of most Greeks living at the time, we cannot say.

What is clear, however, is that everyone involved in a campaign thought poorly of snow. Various ancient accounts of troops marching through snowy terrain illustrate the dangers involved. Their troops and animals often got stuck in the snow and died from the cold.

Snow in Greek mythology

«Chione killed with an arrow supported by her two sons » tapestry executed after the cartoons of Toussaint Dubreuil (Paris 1561 - Paris the 22/11/1602) around 1633 by Raphaël de la Planche, adorning the desk of Nicolas Fouquet in the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte - Maincy.

In Greek mythology, there are several stories that deal with how snow came to be or what role it plays in the world. One simple belief was that it was caused by Zeus. In the Iliad, Homer mentions that Zeus brings the snow to the people with his arrows. So it seems that his arrows were blamed for certain weather phenomena, including snowfall.

Another myth attributes snow to a nymph (a type of minor deity) named Chione. This name derives directly from the ancient Greek word for snow. She was the daughter of Boreus, the god of the north winds. There seem to be few, if any, surviving myths about this snow-bringing nymph, but her name strongly suggests that the Greeks believed so.

However, she was not the only figure in Greek mythology with this name. Another Chione was the wife of Boreus. Given the name and the association with the god of the north wind, the Greeks probably thought she had something to do with snow.

Of course, the Greeks had also associated Boreus himself with snow. As the god of the north winds, he was supposed to bring the cold air from the north - especially from Thrace - to Greece.

The early poet Pindar describes Boreus as "of gloomy and icy breath" It is therefore quite possible that some Greeks held Boreus directly responsible for snow.

A third woman named Chione was the daughter of Callirrhoe, one of the Oceanids - a group of nymphs - and Nile, the god of the Nile in Egypt. It is said that Zeus carried her in the clouds and snow fell from her into the desert.

Scientific and philosophical views

The Greeks did not only write about snow in their mythology. Ancient Greek scientists and philosophers also discussed it from time to time.

One of the philosophers who had an interesting view of snow was Anaxagoras. He lived in the fifth century before Christ. Anaxagoras held that snow, although it appears white to us, is actually dark. He reasoned that snow is just frozen water, and water, according to Anaxagoras, is dark.

The word he used to describe the actual color of the snow, "melaina," is usually translated as "black". In reality, however, it usually means "dark". It was sometimes used to describe the color of wine and/or the dark color of the ocean. Perhaps Anaxagoras had in mind the dark color of the seabed.

Despite his unusual idea of the color of snow, this statement tells us something important. At least since the fifth century B.C., the Greeks have known that snow is formed from water.

Another interesting perspective comes from Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher of the first century AD, whose views are interesting because he was a Stoic philosopher.

This is a form of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the third century BC. He stated that snow contains more air than water. Modern science has proven this to be absolutely true. In fact, snow is about ninety percent air.

Firstly built by the Hittites, now earthquake tore it down: the castle of Gaziantep, a UNESCO monument, collapsed after 2,200 years

Gaziantep Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Anatolia built about 2,200 years ago, did not withstand the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook eastern Turkey and Syria.

The earthquake destroyed over 2,000 buildings and left over 5,000 dead and thousands injured.

Gaziantep Castle in the city of the same name, famous for its numerous castles, monuments and mosaics, was built in the 2nd century and is one of the most magnificent castles in Anatolia. The area on the "Silk Road" still has monuments that reflect its multicultural civilization over the centuries.

The bastions in the eastern, southern and southeastern parts of the historic Gaziantep Castle were destroyed by the earthquake, and the rubble was scattered along the road. The retaining wall next to the castle also collapsed.

Gaziantep Castle is a castle originally built by the Hittite Empire as a lookout point on a hill in the center of Gaziantep, Turkey.

It was later rebuilt into a main castle by the Roman Empire in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

It was further expanded and renovated under Emperor Justinian I between 527 and 565 AD.

The circular castle has a perimeter of 1,200 meters. Its walls are built of stone and the castle has 12 towers.

The Hittites were an ancient people who played an important role in Anatolia and the rest of the Middle East. They spoke a language called Hittite, which is classified as Indo-European. Their culture is among the greatest ancient cultures. Their peak was reached in the 2nd millennium BC.

The full extent of the destruction of the castle is not yet clear.

Walking in the ancient neighbourhood under the Acropolis Museum

Walking in the ancient neighbourhood under the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, we can see House Θ, one of the oldest residences unearthed in the excavation.

Photograph: Giorgos Vitsaropoulos © Acropolis Museum

It was built in the end of the 5th cent. BC and survived until the end of the 6th century AD with many repairs and reconstructions over its millennium-long history.

Reconstruction drawing: Alexandros Nikas © Acropolis Museum

The rooms of the house are arranged around a small inner courtyard. Particularly prominent is the andron, or men’s banquet room, where the homeowner hosted his friends with an eating and drinking party – the well-known symposium.

Reconstruction drawing: Alexandros Nikas © Acropolis Museum

It has a mosaic floor that provides a sense of luxury and allows the room to be easily cleaned with plenty of water following the banquet. In the first half of the 3rd cent. BC, the courtyard was converted into a workshop area.

Reconstruction drawing: Alexandros Nikas © Acropolis Museum

Perhaps it was a fullonica, a laundry facility, where people’s clothes are washed or new fabrics are processed and whitened before being sent for dying.

The remains chiefly preserved today are from the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, as well as some from the 6th century AD.

What is the meaning behind the Eye of Horus?

Horus is one of the most significant ancient Egyptian deities, son of Isis and Osiris, worshipped from at least the late prehistoric Egypt until the Ptolemaic Kingdom and Roman Egypt. He was most often depicted as a falcon, or as a man with a falcon head, and was also symbolized by an eye. What is the meaning behind the Eye of Horus?

The Pagan Jesus? - Apollonius of Tyana

In this episode, we explore the fascinating life of Apollonius of Tyana, a Neopythagorean philosopher whose life in many ways mirror that of Jesus. Enjoy!

TALLEST HUMANS ON EARTH (South Sudan) - 7.5 FEET!

You will not believe how tall the people are in South Sudan! Like EVERYONE on the streets of Juba (South Sudan's capital) is well over 6 feet tall, and many over 7 feet - even the females! It's one of the most unbelievable features of mankind that we've ever seen anywhere on this planet.

The War of the Titans (Titanomachy) - Greek Mythology in Comics

In today’s video we will be exploring Titanomachy, the war of the Titans, through comic illustrations. Enjoy!

12 Most Incredible And Mysterious Finds That Really Exist

We all know the feeling of looking at something and yet finding it so astonishing that it's difficult to believe the evidence of our own eyes. We're hoping to give you that feeling more than once over the course of this video. It's a collection of mysterious wonders, places and things that seem to defy expectation and reason. The only thing they have in common is that they're all incredible!

What Native American Tribes Were Eating In the Old West

The creativity with which Native American groups brought ingredients together reflected an awareness of and respect for the environment. When it comes to what kind of foods Native Americans ate in the past, their meals were often about both sustenance and ceremony.

Native American groups thrived on staple foods like corn, beans, and squash. When available, meat, fruit, and other vegetables were mixed in, not to mention roots and greens. Many foods Native Americans ate were high in fat, protein, and carbohydrates - intentionally loaded with nutrients in order to combat potential hardship and struggle. Food was also used for celebrating and bringing people together.

Iron Age horse and chariot discovered in East Yorkshire town

It was found on The Mile development some weeks ago where more than 200 homes are to be built. Both horse and human remains were found

Simon Usher, managing director at Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “We can confirm that a significant archaeological discovery, featuring an Iron Age horse-drawn chariot, has been made at our development, The Mile in Pocklington.

“Careful excavation is ongoing by our archaeologists and a thorough investigation is in process to date and detail the find.

“Until this process is complete we are not in a position to comment on the possible historical benefit of the find.

"We expect to have further details over the coming months. The discovery will feature on BBC Four’s Digging for Britain at the end of this year.”

It comes just a year after another Iron Age chariot and two well-preserved horses were discovered on another building site in the town, David Wilson Homes’ Pavilion Square development.

The chariot found last year was only the twenty-sixth to be excavated in the country and was found in an ancient cemetery off Burnby Lane, dating back to 800BC.

The deliberate inclusion of horses as part of the burial rite was "highly unusual".

The last time such a discovery was made is believed to have been on Arras Hill outside Market Weighton in 1817.

The site had already yielded fascinating finds, including the remains of a warrior ritually buried with his sword and four spears placed in his spine and one in his groin, which may have been an attempt "to release his spirit".

In all, 79 square barrows were found containing 138 burials from the Arras Culture - a group of people who lived in the region in the Middle Iron Age - and 22 from the Anglian period 600 to 800 years later.

Further analysis is expected to reveal more information including whether the local population was indigenous or had continental connections.

Who are the Tatars? | Largest ethnic minority in Russia

In this video we will visit tatars' biggest annual holiday SABANTUY where we will learn about tatar culture, traditions, food and lifestyle. Let's discover more about Russia's largest ethnic minority TATARS.

A 193-million-year-old nesting ground containing more than 100 dinosaurs eggs is upending paleontologists’ understanding of an early dinosaur species.

A 193-million-year-old nesting ground containing more than 100 dinosaurs eggs is upending paleontologists' understanding of an early dinosaur species.

Research published on October 2021 describes a collection of eggs and juvenile and adult skeletons from a dinosaur called Mussaurus patagonicus, which were found in Patagonia, Argentina. The dino is an ancestor of long-necked herbivores called sauropods, such as Brachiosaurus.

Most of the chicken-sized eggs were discovered in clusters of eight to 30, suggesting they resided in nests as part of a common breeding ground. Scientists also found Mussaurus skeletons of similar sizes and ages buried together. Combined, these patterns offer evidence that the dinosaurs lived in herds.

"I went to this site aiming to find at least one nice dinosaur skeleton. We ended up with 80 skeletons and more than 100 eggs (some with embryos preserved inside!)" Diego Pol, a researcher with the Egidio Feruglio paleontology museum in Patagonia and the lead author of the new study, told Insider via email.

He called the site "one of a kind."

Before this discovery, researchers thought herding behavior was restricted to dinosaurs that came much later, in the very late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods. That's because the earliest fossil evidence of sauropod herds only dates back 150 million years. This nesting ground, however, pushes that timeline back more than 40 million years. It's the earliest known evidence of social groups among dinosaurs, the study authors said.

X-rays offer a peek into fossilized dinosaur eggs

Argentine paleontologists discovered the first Mussaurus skeletons at this Patagonian site in the late 1970s. The dinosaurs they found were no more than 6 inches long. Unaware that they'd uncovered newborns, the researchers named the creature "mouse lizard" because of the skeletons' tiny size.

Pol decided to reexplore the area starting in 2002, and by 2013, he'd helped find the first adult Mussaurus fossils there. Those bones revealed that full-grown versions of these "mouse lizards" were closer in size to modern-day hippos. They grew to weigh about 1.5 tons, reaching lengths of 26 feet from nose to tail tip. But infants could fit in the palm of a human hand.

Since then, Pol's team has also uncovered and studied the contents of the nesting ground, which measures just under half a square mile. In 2017, he took 30 of the eggs to a lab in France, and his group then used X-ray technology to peek inside and confirm the species of the embryos without breaking the shells.

By analyzing the sizes and types of bones in the nesting ground, the researchers determined that the animals were buried near counterparts of a similar age. Some clusters had juveniles less than a year old, others consisted of individuals that were slightly older but not yet fully grown, and finally, there were smatterings of adults that had died solo or in pairs.

That type of age segregation, the researchers said, is a key sign of herds: Juveniles hung out with others their age while adults looked for food and protected the community.

"They were resting together and likely died during a drought," Pol said. "This is compatible with a herd that stays together during many years and within which the animals get close to each other to rest, or to forage, or do other daily activities."

Another strong indication of herd behavior is a nesting ground itself: If Mussaurus lived as a community, it would make sense that they'd lay eggs in a common area.

Living in herds may have helped Mussaurus survive

To figure out the fossils' ages, researchers examined minerals in volcanic ash that was scattered around the eggs and skeletons, and determined that the fossils were about 193 million years old.

Previously, scientists thought this type of dinosaur lived during the late Triassic period, about 221 million to 205 million years ago. But the new date suggests instead that Mussaurus thrived during the early Jurassic period. That, in turn, is evidence that Mussaurus' ancestors survived a mass extinction event 200 million years ago.

The key to that survival, the study suggests, may have been their herding behavior.

"These were social animals and we think this may be an important factor to explain their success," Pol said.

Communal living likely helped Mussaurus find enough food, perhaps by making it easier for them to forage over larger areas.

Mussaurus of the same size would likely "group together to coordinate their activities," Pol said, given that larger adults and tinier juveniles moved at different speeds.

He added that given the size difference between newborns and adults, it probably took these dinosaurs many years to reach full size. So young Mussaurus might have been vulnerable to predation.

By staying in herds, adults could better protect their young.

Paleontologists find a 500kg Sauropod femur in France

Two metres (6.6ft) long, the femur found at Angeac is thought to have belonged to a sauropod, a plant-eating dinosaur with a long neck and tail.

Sauropods, common in the late Jurassic era, were among the largest land animals that ever existed.

Palaeontologists say they are amazed at the state of preservation of the bone.

"We can see the insertions of muscles and tendons, and scars," Ronan Allain of the National History Museum of Paris told Le Parisien newspaper.

"This is rare for big pieces which tend to collapse in on themselves and fragment."

Just how big was the owner of the thigh?

Such dinosaurs, which lived more than 140m years ago, would have weighed 40 to 50 tonnes, Allain told Reuters news agency.

A sauropod thigh bone found at the same site in 2010 was 2.2m long and weighed 500 kilos, according to local paper La Charente Libre.

The femur found this week is expected to weigh about the same when it is finally removed, a job which will probably take a good week and involve a crane.

What else are they finding at Angeac?

Some 70 scientists are working this summer at the site buried deep in the vineyards of the Charente area, near the town of Cognac.

More than 7,500 fossils from at least 40 species have been recovered since 2010, making the former marsh one of the most important such sites in Europe.

Bones of stegosauruses and a herd of ostrich dinosaurs have been found, Le Parisien reports.

Aristotelian thought is revived in the archaeological site of the Lyceum, Greece

The Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with the National Research Centre for Natural Sciences "Demokritos", is setting up a digital information kiosk on the life and works of the ancient Greek philosopher and thinker Aristotle at the Lyceum Archaeological Site in Athens.

Through the installation of interactive information systems and the use of the possibilities of digital technology, information about the Lyceum site, but also about Aristotle, is presented in a comprehensible and lively way, while at the same time creating an innovative cultural experience for visitors that also appeals to younger people.

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, stated, "With this special action, the archaeological site of Aristotle's Lyceum will be restored as a cultural destination in the center of Athens. With Aristotle's philosophical school as a reference point in the sanctuary of the Lyceum, the ecumenical work and emblematic figure of the Greek philosopher, one of the leading figures of all times with worldwide influence, are highlighted. Together with the upgraded historic Athens Conservatory, located in close proximity, but also with the Byzantine Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the National Gallery, the archaeological site of the Lyceum forms a unique cultural and development pole that contributes to the revitalization of the center of Athens. The intervention aims to create an educational and philosophical experience for the visitors of the archaeological site, with the use of digital technology and architecture that contributes to the connection of the Lyceum with the Athens Conservatory and the "Roof of Greek Ideas", a project implemented - in the framework of a particularly fruitful collaboration - by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the National Natural Sciences Research Center "Dimokritos".

The intervention concerns the installation of a pavilion in the southern part of the archaeological site, which will host four interactive touch screens that will provide access to multimedia information(texts, images, videos, representations, etc.). The composition consists of four rectangular units covered by a corrugated metal roof. Access to the pavilion is via ramps and in the inner courtyard of the palaestra there are three grandstands for standing and viewing. A sound installation is provided at selected points along the visitor routes to inform visitors.

The Chairman of National Natural Sciences Research Center "Demokritos'', George Nunesis, stated: "We are pleased with the approval of the proposal by the Ministry of Culture, which concerns the creation of an innovative cultural experience for the archaeological site of Aristotle's Lyceum. The goal is to create a hub around ancient Greek philosophy in the heart of Athens, encouraging reflection and discussion about philosophy, using modern technologies that emphasize its universality. The reason for this proposal was the project "Roof of Greek Ideas", carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Sports with the "Demokritos" National Natural Sciences Research Center at the Athens Conservatory. The approved proposal is the result of the collaboration of "Demokritos'' with the architectural firm Foster+Partners and the World Human Forum under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. It is a collaboration that combines knowledge, research and creativity in the fields of technology, architecture and philosophy. Our vision for this proposal is to be a model for intervention in archaeological sites that highlights the relationship between the site and intangible philosophical ideas and enriches the visitor experience.”.

Internationally renowned academics, scientists and artists oversee the selection of information material (written texts, audiovisual material) and the gradual construction of a hub for Aristotle, his life and work. The digital installation allows easy renewal and enrichment of the information material according to the progress of research. The theme concerns the archaeological site of the Lyceum (importance of its location, role of gymnasiums in antiquity), Aristotle, his work and the distinction of sciences according to Aristotle: poetics (medicine, shipbuilding, carpentry, agriculture, engineering, construction, painting), practical (ethics, politics), theoretical (first philosophy, mathematics, natural philosophy, natural history), his life and travels (from the time of his teaching at Plato's Academy and throughout his stay in Athens) , the impact of Aristotle's work over time (translation projects of Arab intellectuals, convergence of Christianity and Aristotelianism during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, conflict between Aristotelianism and modern science during the 16th and 17th centuries).

In the "Roof of Greek Ideas" interactive exhibitions are organized by the Ministry of Interior and "Demokritos" in collaboration with the Athens Conservatory. The themes of the exhibitions are from the field of philosophy and humanities, starting from the theme of democracy.

The oldest wooden well in the world is 7,250 years old

This "wooden box" is one of the oldest wooden "structures" in the world and was once a well. It was found in the Czech Republic, where the first farmers in Europe built some wells with some oak wood. They earned the title of the oldest preserved wooden well construction in the world.

One of the first oak structures has been accurately dated thanks to the annual rings preserved in the wood.

The unique discovery was made by archaeologists last year in Ostrov in the Pardubice region, where seven wells from different prehistoric periods were found during excavations during the construction of the D35 road. In particular, "in the case of the well found in Chrudim, the results show that the trees used to build the well were felled between 5256-5255 B.C., and the corner posts of a tree boot felled in the fall or winter of 5259 B.C. or early winter of 5258 B.C.," said Michal Rybníček of the Department of Wood Science at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at Mendel University in Brno. (In Cyprus, people were already building wells 10,500 years ago).

It is remarkable that the first farmers, who had only tools made of stone, bone, horn or wood, were able to work felled tree trunks with absolute precision.

The structure is maintained by experts from the University of Pardubice.

The shaft parts were stored in the Piarist University in Litomyšl under suitable climatic conditions. They were preserved because they remained under water.

Invertebrates and small vertebrates, shells, bones, eggs of crustacean parasites, remains of insects, etc. were also found. Archaeobotanical analyses shed light on the environment and economy of the first farmers: remains of plant species such as wheat, flax or the rare poppy have also been found, which will allow a better understanding of the activities of the first farmers and the reconstruction of the Neolithic environment in the area.

A 3,000-year-old wooden well containing more than 100 items was discovered in Germering in southern Germany, in an area where more than 70 ancient wells have already been found.

Marcus Guckenbiehl (Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historic Monuments) suspects that the objects may have been intentionally placed in this 4.8-metre-deep well as ritual offerings during a long period of drought (to reactivate the well).

More than 70 of the items were finely crafted pottery such as bowls, vases, etc. Twenty-six copper needles, a bracelet, two metal spirals, four amber beads, a wooden spoon and an animal tooth wrapped with wire were also found.

Renovation of the Platonic Academy: This is the new underground museum of Athens

An actually "invisible" complex that develops essentially underground, with green roofs that blend harmoniously with the natural landscape of the grove of the Platonic Academy, is the big winner of the Panhellenic architectural competition announced last August by Anaplasi SA for the Archaeological Museum of Athens. It is a brand new museum that focuses on the timeless evolution of the city of Athens, making use of archaeological treasures that for decades lay locked in the warehouses of our archaeological services due to lack of proper infrastructure.

The complex, open competition, which includes the urban planning, architectural and traffic management study, was completed in record time, with 17 complete, valid architectural studies submitted, and with the official announcement of the results (expected no later than early next week) we know the offices that received all three prizes and two commendations.

Giorgos Tsolakis, head of the office that won the first prize, expresses his enthusiasm. He already has experience with the design of the Museum of Marine Antiquities in Piraeus, as well as with a number of public and private, medium and large-scale projects in Greece and abroad, and is convinced that their proposal corresponds to the vision of Athens of the future.

The most important result is the idea of a semi-submersible museum, as most of the 13,500 square meters of the building programme is underground, leaving the fragile relationship between the precious green and open spaces of the Grove and the neighborhood almost undisturbed. "The architectural approach emphasizes above all the topography, urbanism and public archaeology, as it creatively integrates both the axes of the landscape and the structure of the city, incorporating on the one hand the archaeological findings and at the same time addressing the relationship between open and closed, public and private", Mr. Giorgos Tsolakis points out.

In fact, the city and the grove interact in the center of the site by creating four new sidewalks that, at their intersection, create a node of swirling movement and activities that are interconnected at different levels. This engraving creates a central public platform where visitors are distributed among four different wings that rise from the ground. "The square marks the beginning of the development of the emerging wings and reverses the typology of the ancient Greek temple pavilion, from an inward-facing building to an outward-facing one.

The arrangement of the facades refers to the stoic buildings of the archaeological findings of the Academy. The roofs emerge from the ground as a natural continuation, forming sloping, accessible surfaces that extend the grove's existing plantings while providing comfortable conditions for natural light and ventilation for visitors and workers."

What about antiquities?

The first question that comes to mind when talking to Giorgos Tsolakis is how to ensure an uninterrupted excavation of several meters deep while it is an archaeological park. "In the specifications of the tender, it was clear that the area where the museum is located was excavated in the past and is therefore free of antiquities.”.

He stresses that the main concept of the researchers was not to change the character of the public green space of the area. "The accessible roofs extend the surface of the grove and encourage the growth of shrubs and small trees that spatially and visually unify the planted public space. Native trees, which is a characteristic of the Athens landscape, are added to the existing plantings. The new configurations and development of the planted roofs will result in an increase and enrichment of the Grove's green balance, creating new conditions for outdoor activities for area residents and visitors."

In addition to the museum, it is also worth mentioning the outdoor sculpture gallery, which will develop at a lower level than the grove and relate the exhibits to the existing archaeological excavations, while in the southeastern part the existing sports activities will be transferred with an improved infrastructure, as well as the underground parking with a capacity of about 80 vehicles.