Customer Reviews

Athens The City Beneath the City: Antiquities from the Metropolitan Railway Excavations

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This is a magnificient book, tribute to an incredible and meaningful project. Readers interested in the antiquities will want this; those who are involved in urban planning, cultural heritage conservation or related fields should definitely take a look. Considering that much of modern Athens is practically an archaeological treasure trove, it says something for the Athenians that they are willing to delay construction of important infrastructure so that thorough investigations of all sites affected can be made, and even change the location for a planned station so as to accomodate the preservation of a site.

The value of this book lies not in any breathtaking discoveries, but rather in the meticulous record of each site excavated and the indefatigable love of history which permeates throughout. It is a pity that in many other places with sufficient material prerequisites the preservation of historical and cultural heritage is either still in its infancy or simple sidelined.

If you are going to be in Athens before the end of this year, don't miss the exhibition.