Engineers have discovered that the Acropolis of Athens is crumbling. This structural deficiency poses a threat to the 2,500-year-old Parthenon.
The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located in the center of Athens. The Acropolis contains a number of historical monuments including the Parthenon, an ancient temple of Greek goddess Athena, patron of Athens. The construction of the marble temple started in 447 B.C. at the peak of the Athenian Empire and is considered one of the most significant monuments of Classical Greece.
The citadel is located on top of a flat rock, which the engineers suggest is decaying. Experts believe that it needs urgent attention before further damage is done; the deterioration can result in the destruction of the Parthenon.
A team of engineers from the Central Archaeological Council of Greece, which is the highest advisory body on all matters relating to the protection of ancient monuments and archaeological sites up to 1830, inspected the structure after a rock of considerable size tumbled down in January. Engineers reported signs of instability over a big area of the Acropolis.
The Central Archaeological Council reports that engineering intervention is needed to secure the southern side of the hill on which the Parthenon is located. The Greek culture ministry announced that it is working to restrict further decay of the rock; however, the ministry did not announce if it will offer urgent funding to stop further damage.
"Much of the decay has been caused by drainage pipes stemming from the old Acropolis museum, situated on the rock also," says Lena Mendoni of the Greek culture ministry. "We have already begun studying the damage to ring fence and repair it."
Greece has been in a difficult situation in recent years. The country's economy has been under recession for the past six years and registers an unemployment rate of 27 percent. Despite austerity measures imposed by the European Union (EU), the country has prioritized restoration work at the Acropolis; the move has been continuing since 1970s.
The monument remains a revered symbol of Greece's wonderful past and is still one of the most popular and visited tourist attractions. The ancient archaeological site remains open to visitors.
