Glenn Maffia

I DOUBT that it was my constant haranguing in *Voices* that swayed Aydin Belediye to finally close the road passing the Temple of Apollo.  I rather think that this is too much of a coincidence with the German Archaeologists arriving back in town for their annual dig.

I know for a fact that they are less than enamoured in the way the Temple is treated in this town.

Certainly I find it astounding to the point of utter stupidity and laziness on the part of drivers; that an extra two minute detour around the Temple’s boundaries is not perceived as being expedient to the preservation of this glorious monument. Rather than the view that they hold, whereas they see it unnecessary, inconvenient and a drain on their time. The view of a childlike mind, in other words.

You have done the correct thing Ozlem Çerçioğlu (The mayor of Aydin). Now please don’t give contemptible materialistic people the opportunity to renege on this decision once again in the future.

Meanwhile, the archaeologists have begun their initial digs in areas close to last year’s excellent finds.

Archaeology is a slow and laborious process, but there are different speeds. You may have seen British television’s “Time Team” which used to go into a site, fully researched beforehand, and reveal extraordinary finds in only three days.

The Americans are so much more sedate and careful, simply because they do not have as much history; therefore all is sifted slowly to the point of boredom.

The Germans appear to be cuddling a middle line, and to which their chief Professor is extremely reticent to come to a definite conclusion. This is due to the academic finicky backbiting that haunts the profession, and has always seemed to in Germany. Oh yes, careers are won and lost on such silly infighting.

I am, on the other hand, an Art Historian. That requires a similar imagination as well as academic discipline. Though I have a freer reign to the brand of conjecture which no archaeologist would tread upon. The two disciplines are separate, though, of course, not entirely unrelated. We are kissing cousins.

Over the coming weeks I shall be following the excellent work of the archaeologists, speaking to them as often as possible, and espousing my view of what is being unearthed.

I know that my German friend’s opinions will be, “Well maybe, possibly and perhaps”, though I shall endeavour to read the signs, from a humanist perspective.

I am excited. It should be a glorious year of finds which will hopefully prompt the local and national authorities into treating this sumptuous Temple, and environs, with a lot more respect.

As I have said and written innumerable times, “It doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to all humanity”.