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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-28
CONTENTS
[01] Ancient river bed displayed at metro station
[01] Ancient river bed displayed at metro station
Athens' latest archaeological attraction opened on Monday several
metres underground, as visitors and commuters passing through the Greek
capital's Monastiraki metro station will be able to peer into
excavations revealing the Eridanos River bed -- one of ancient Athens'
oft-cited streams.
The Monastiraki station archaeological site spans an expanse of 300
square metres, with a 24-metre glass pedestrian way stretching across a
dome-shaped opening where the now subterranean stream can still be
heard, according to metro engineers and archaeologists.
Numerous artefacts and urban levels uncovered at Monastiraki, the
eponymous flea market district of central Athens which lies within a
short walking distance of the ancient Agora on the Acropolis' north
side, will also be on display at the station.
The site was inaugurated by Public Works and Environment Minister
George Souflias, who praised the efforts of the Attiko Metro consortium
and state archaeologists to excavate and showcase the noted stream of
ancient Athens, which was permanently covered over in the 2nd century
A.D. during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Caption: A visitor at the Monastiraki metro station in downtown Athens
looks into the river bed of the now subterranean Eridanos stream on
Tuesday, March 27, 2007. ANA-MPA / O. Panagiotou.
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