The dangerous work of archaeologists in conflict zones
Would you die to save a historical monument? Syrian archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad did. His death highlights the dangers heritage workers can face in conflict areas.
Khaled al-Asaad dedicated his life to Palmyra s history
Syrian state media reported recently that authorities may have found the remains of Khaled al-Asaad, an archaeologist who was beheaded by Islamic State (IS) militants in 2015, when he was 82. Asaad had served as the head of the antiquities department of the ancient city of Palmyra, staying there and undertaking research work for over 40 years. I am from Palmyra and I will stay here even if they kill me, Asaad is reported to have said after IS occupied Palmyra.
Greece ‘finally’ has its #MeToo moment An Olympic medalist’s sexual assault allegations against a former coach have opened up a conversation about gender roles, discrimination, power dynamics and everyday sexism in Greek society.
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Greek Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou poses for a photograph during an interview for The Associated Press, at Agios Kosmas marina in southern Athens, Feb. 4, 2021. Bekatorou is the most successful female athlete in Greek sporting history who recently revealed that she was the victim of a sexual assault, allegedly by a senior sports official in 1998. Credit:
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An Olympic medalist’s testimony of sexual assault has sparked a #MeToo reckoning in one of Europe s most conservative nations.
The Greek Ministry of Culture announced marine archaeologists have discovered more treasures in the historic wreck of the “Mentor,” which belonged to Lord Elgin and sank off Kythera Island in 1802.
The wreck of the Mentor contains antiquities Lord Elgin’s team stole from the Parthenon and other Athens monuments.
The ship crashed onto the rocks of Cape Avelemonas and sank on September 15, 1802.
Findings included footwear, belt buckles, coins and other small items from the passengers.
It is known from the testimonies of both the crew and the occupants that during the accident, they lost all their personal belongings, including their clothes. This testimony is confirmed by the underwater findings.
The ship s cargo included ceramics from Spain and Tunisia.
January 27, 2021
Recovering a Mendean amphora from a Roman shipwreck off Kasos Island. Photo by Nikos Koukoulas, courtesy of the Kasos Maritime Archaeological Project and the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Archaeologists conducting research in the Aegean Sea have discovered a rare ancient Roman shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island of Kasos.
The shipwreck, which is dated to between 200 AD and 300 AD, is “filled with ancient treasures,” Greek officials told Ancient Origins.
The Roman vessel was loaded with ceramic amphorae sturdy ceramic containers with pointed bottoms produced in Guadalquivir, Spain, and present-day Tunisia, according to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports. The vessels were likely filled with oil from Rhodes or Asia Minor.
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Several other women from the field of sports and beyond have now also spoken out about alleged harassment, and the Greek Supreme Court has urged prosecutors to make responding to such claims a priority.
An Olympic sailing champion has accused a top sporting official in Greece of sexual abuse, the countryâs first high-profile accusation of sexual assault and abuse of power since the #MeToo movement swept the world in recent years, bringing down powerful figures in the media, politics and sports.
Claims by Sofia Bekatorou, a Greek Olympic sailing champion, that she was sexually assaulted by the official 23 years ago, when she was 21, have prompted a wave of support and an unusually open debate in a country where studies suggest sexual harassment is prevalent.