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Unfortunately the damage of Diolkos is going on. One more ancient block - the second this year - fell rom the monument during the last weeks. Although at the beginning of September the Central Archaeological Council supposedly called for immediate temporary protection measures), relevant services remain largely inactive; even the exchange of letters seems to be going at a snail' s speed, creating a picture of mindboggling inability... The long festival of hypocrisy and illegality that has determined the monument's deterioration is at last becoming known to a wide public. See for example two more articles presented by greek portals. The first is in greek and the second in english... www.hotstation.gr/article-1480--0-0.html www.huts.gr/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35

Yesterday the most popular portal in Greece, in.gr, presented the Diolkos case. It is a good thing to see the veil of silence about Diolkos begin to fall and a kind of "greek tradegy", complete with an innocent victim, slowly come to light... For those interested, the link (in greek ) is at: www.in.gr/Reviews/imagegallery.asp?lngReviewID=1667&lngChapterID=16500&lngItemID=57977

Up to now, people from 78 countries have signed the Diolkos petition. The countries are: Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, France, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, Brazil, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Iceland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Russia, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Turkey, Israel, Japan, Repubic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Macao, South Africa, Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, Bahamas, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Guatemala, Maldives, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine.. Armenia is not on this list because, although many people with armenian origin have signed, there are not any signatures from Armenians living in Armenia... If any friend living in Armenian would care to sign, I would be grateful. Signatures from as many countries as possible are an unmistakable "message" towards the authorities that have let the destruction of Diolkos go on... The site, again, is www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 Thanks for your support!

Thanks to all the armenian friends that sign !!! Some friends are asking various questions about the Ancient Diolkos petition. I guess a lot of you reading about Diolkos are wondering about the same things, so I give some explanations here. FUNDS Signing the petition does not mean asking the Greek State to give money that it presumably cannot afford for the monument. The protection and restoration of Diolkos should have been presented for funding (with EU contribution or other similar projects) LONG AGO. Unfortunately, by not having even the most elementary information about the monument, the services in charge were KEEPING THEMSELVES UNPREPARED even to ASK for funding… WHY SPEAK... The monument is not a piece of property OWNED by someone free to destroy it. Unfortunately, this is what has happened up to now. This petition says that we want this to stop. The Diolkos is a common heritage of mankind (as many other monuments and sites all over the world). IS THE PETITION JUST A PLEA? No, it is more dynamic that that. The Prime Minister's Office is being often notified about the progress and knows that many people from many countries know of the problem. Consequently, the Diolkos cannot be left to decay in silence (as was the situation up to now). INFORMATION GIVEN The information given at the petition site cannot cover 45 years of neglect and destruction. It would be too long (and maybe also very shocking). If anybody feels like having more information, I will be glad to provide information or documentation...

Hi, Kars and thanks for everything you say. Well, I said that about english only as regards the Personal messages I got from Armenian friends - not for the forum itself... I can't ask you to speak in english... that would be too pretentious on my part... : I am looking forward to your signature. Yesterday, a yacht captain from Monaco signed, bringing the countries to 77!!! The petition is now on the history part of this forum, so anyone can go there and have a look. Public Administration is UNBELIEVABLE (everywhere, I think)... For some time now, people from the Greek Ministry are promoting the "idea" that what's done is done (meaning there is no need to look back at what has already happened at the poor monument - and how THEY promoted its destruction) and that the important thing is what happens from now on (meaning they'll take care of it). Well, it has been some time that I hear this "what's done is done" from various people. Everybody is more than happy to set the clock back to zero... and erase the past... You have heard of the terrible fires we had this summer in my country... Well, I wonder if they will let the people that set the fires go, when they'll find them, saying... "what's done is done"...

The diolkos was a paved trackway across the Isthmus of Corinth, over which ships could be hauled overland between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, to save them sailing around the Peloponnese. First built probably by Periander around 600 b.c., it is mentioned by Thucydides as something granted, thus already ancient. After Actium in 31 B.C. Octavian shipped warships across the Diolkos to pursue Antony and Cleopatra to Asia and then Egypt. Although unique in its kind and rich in history, the Diolkos has never been protected since the time of excavation (~1960), progressively crumbling into the water at its western end. In an effort to save and restore the defenceless structure, we have created an international petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 We invite you to sign and help preserve this historical monument. Sofia Loverdou – freelance science journalist Yiannis Balafoutas – Retired teacher, writer More information and images in ENGLISH, at www.greece.org:8080/opencms/opencms/HEC_Projects/DIOLKOS/ Images and comments in GREEK, at www.greekarchitects.gr/index.php?maincat=8&newid=890 (2 pages)

Friends from Armenia, thanks for your messages... Unfortunately, I can't read armenian, so PLEASE write in english... Thanks!

Hayduk, thank you for adding me as friend!! I tried to send you a PM but I wasn't allowed to do that... Hi, everybody...

Thanks for accepting me - and my protest for a defenceless monument that has suffered incredibly. Whoever can, please visit the petition site ... and contribute to saving our common heritage. www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 === By the way, I have neighbours with armenian origin and, some years back, I used to sing with a lady pianist from Armenia, with whom we are good friends!!! (Now I don't sing anymore, though)

Dear Dinozavric, it sure is OK for anybody to sign. Thanks! Of course I will still be looking for someone from Armenia, so if any other friend would help out, they are welcome!!

Dear Dinozavrik, the favour I would like to ask is this. For two years now I have been battling for the protection and restoration of an ancient monument in my country, Greece Some months ago, I created an international petition with this goal. Up to now, people from 76 countries have signed it, but nobody from Armenia (although people with Armenian origin HAVE signed). Having more countries from which the signatures originate means that I can use more "pressure" with the authorities; so, since I cannot post my petition directly, I would like to ask you to have a look at it and - only if you you feel like it, of course, please sign. My petition is at www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 and you can find more information at www.greece.org:8080/opencms/opencms/HEC_Projects/DIOLKOS/ Thank you for looking at this topic. I am at your disposal if you need anything from me, too. I am glad you answered. I am grateful to all the people from so many countries that care for our global heritage!!

Hi! I am sorry I don't know armenian. I am a greek freelance journalist. I would like some help from armenian friends for an archaeology issue. Is there anybody interested in archaeology that would like to help?? Sofia from Athens