Monthly Archives: August 2014

Συνεχίζονται οι ανασκαφικές εργασίες στον λόφο Καστά, στην Αμφίπολη, από την ΚΗ Εφορεία Προϊστορικών και Κλασσικών Αρχαιοτήτων…

Με τη αφαίρεση χωμάτων από τον προθάλαμο, στον χώρο πίσω από τον τοίχο των Σφιγγών, αποκαλύφθηκε τμήμα μαρμαροθετημένου δαπέδου, με λευκά, μικρά ακανόνιστα τμήματα μαρμάρου, σε κόκκινο φόντο, σωζόμενο σε εξαιρετικά καλή κατάσταση. (φωτο 1,2). Στο κατώφλι του πρώτου διαφραγματικού τοίχου των Σφιγγών, εντοπίστηκαν επί της νωπογραφίας η οποία το κάλυπτε, ίχνη μπλε χρώματος. (φωτο 3).

Διαπιστώθηκε, επίσης, ότι και στους τρεις χώρους , μετά από τον τοίχο σφράγισης, υπάρχει χαλαρή αμμώδης επίχωση, ως το μέγιστο ύψος της θόλου. Οι τρεις χώροι, που δημιουργούνται από την κατασκευή των εγκάρσιων διαφραγματικών τοίχων, κατά μήκος της θόλου, φαίνεται ότι καταχώθηκαν κατά την σφράγιση του ταφικού μνημείου. Οι τοίχοι, εν μέρει, λειτουργούν και ως στοιχεία αντιστήριξης των χαλαρών επιχώσεων. Τόσο το κενό στον εξωτερικό τοίχο σφράγισης όσο και οι οπές στα επόμενα διαφράγματα, που πιθανόν να έχουν προέλθει από αφαίρεση λίθων ή και από μη τοποθέτηση λίθων, φαίνεται ότι αποτελεί μέρος σχεδίου σφράγισης του τάφου. (φωτο 4)

Η διαπίστωση, μέχρι σήμερα, ύπαρξης τριών χώρων, κατά μήκος της θόλου, αποτελεί ένα ακόμη ιδιαίτερο χαρακτηριστικό του μνημείου, το οποίο αποκαλύπτεται στον λόφο Καστά.

Ο πρώτος διαφραγματικός τοίχος, μετά την είσοδο, έχει αποκαλυφθεί μόνον ως το ιωνικό επιστύλιο, το οποίο διακοσμείται με τους οκτάφυλλους ανάγλυφους ρόδακες. Στο ακραίο ανατολικό τμήμα του επιστυλίου εμφανίστηκε το ανώτατο τμήμα πλευρικής παραστάδος. (φωτο 5). Επίσης, διαπιστώθηκε ότι λείπει το ακραίο δυτικό τμήμα του επιστυλίου, όπως και οι υπερκείμενοι αυτού λίθοι. Όπως έχουμε ήδη αναφέρει- δελτίο της 25ης Αυγούστου-επί του διαφραγματικού τοίχου θα υπάρχει η είσοδος, η οποία θα οδηγεί στον δεύτερο χώρο του μνημείου. Η μορφή της εισόδου θα αποκαλυφθεί μετά την αφαίρεση των χωμάτων, κατά τις αμέσως επόμενες μέρες.

Τεχνικές εργασίες

Παράλληλα, με την πρόοδο της ανασκαφικής έρευνας, εξελίσσονται, με εντατικούς ρυθμούς, η ολοκλήρωση των εργοταξιακών υποδομών καθώς και η θωράκιση του μνημείου και του ευρύτερου χώρου του, από απρόσμενες καιρικές συνθήκες.

Για την προστασία του μνημείου από την βροχή, εκτός από την κατασκευή του στεγάστρου, το οποίο και ολοκληρώθηκε, (φωτο 6) ξεκίνησε περιφερειακά του μνημείου, η διαμόρφωση αγωγών απορροής των ομβρίων υδάτων.

Για την αφαίρεση των χαλαρών αμμωδών επιχώσεων απαιτήθηκε δομοστατική και γεωτεχνική μελέτη η οποία περιλαμβάνει:

1. Τον πλήρη εγκιβωτισμό των διαφραγμάτων με ξύλινα στοιχεία.

2. Τη διαμόρφωση “παταριών”, σε ικρίωμα εργασίας βαρέως τύπου, τα οποία επιτρέπουν την υποστήλωση της θόλου, (φωτο 7) με τη δημιουργία κατάλληλου νάρθηκα και την ομαλή πρόσβαση από χώρο σε χώρο, καθώς και την ασφαλή υλοποίηση της αποχωμάτησης των χώρων. (φωτο 8).

3. Την ισχυρή αντιστήριξη του δεύτερου διαφραγματικού χώρου για την αντιμετώπιση των ισχυρών ωθήσεων από τις γαίες του επόμενου χώρου.

4. Την εξωτερική αντιστήριξη της εισόδου με τις Σφίγγες, για την ασφάλεια του διαφράγματος και έδραση αντιστηρικτικών στοιχείων, που ενδεχομένως να απαιτηθούν, κατά την πρόοδο των ανασκαφικών εργασιών. (φωτο 9,10).

ΦΩΤΟ 1

ΦΩΤΟ 2

ΦΩΤΟ 3

ΦΩΤΟ 4

ΦΩΤΟ 5

ΦΩΤΟ 6

ΦΩΤΟ 7

ΦΩΤΟ 8

ΦΩΤΟ 9

ΦΩΤΟ 10

Πηγή: enikos.gr

The Naxiots are indeed self-reliant. Their products can be purchased on the island and a few stores in the country’s larger cities. [Katerina Kampiti]

Naxos is a fertile garden in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Za, the highest mountain in the Cyclades, Mount Fanari and the entire area around the village of Kinidaro yield crystalline marble, granite and emery.

Below the quarries, on ground underpinned by limestone, the islanders’ sheep and goats graze on wild greens that grow in the mineral-rich soil and yield creamy milk that is made into six or seven different types of cheese. Below the pastures, the Naxiot livestock farmers have their animal sheds and dairies, dotted around villages such as Filoti. The plateaus are home to the farms – worked without pause – where the islanders grow citrus fruits, including pomelo, and olives. The meadows below the plateaus are used for “sophisticated” livestock farming, producing wonderful beef that is hard to come by elsewhere. And down by the sea, the land yields potatoes, and especially a local variety of spunta.

Across the length and breadth of this mountainous island, you will see the locals working the land. Most have two or three jobs: baker and organic farmer; restaurateur, livestock farmer and dairy producer; producer, packager and merchant. They produce olives and olive oil, fruits and vegetables, raki and more than 10 varieties of grape used for wine or eating. They rear rabbits and chickens and keep bees. The Naxiots are indeed self-reliant. Their products can be purchased on the island and a few stores in the country’s larger cities. But their greatest asset is that they are good folk.

The cuisine

Driving back from Koronos and Damarionas to Agiasos, I met a number of locals who said that the island cuisine has changed little over the years. With a few exceptions, I did not discover secret or long-forgotten recipes, but rather fascinating combinations of ingredients in both old and new recipe books. Most families at one point had home-reared pigs, just as in most parts of the country. Michalis Krimitzas, a resident of Apeiranthos, recalls that his family “would butcher one at Christmas and the other at Carnival [before the start of Lent]. On the last Sunday of Carnival we still make ‘rosto,’ which we serve with pasta. The fat and skin above the loin was preserved. We would fill our cellars with jars of preserved cuts.”

The cured pork is known as “alatsoto” on Naxos and it is cooked with broad beans or a small chunk is added to vegetable dishes such as stuffed vine leaves (dolma) or beans in tomato sauce for flavor. The cheeks and neck would be made into a delicious rosemary-scented snack called “glynero,” cured in the fat that the islanders use for butter. The flank was turned into “zamboni,” ham cured in salt and flavored with garlic, cinnamon and cloves. This was usually made at Carnival and eaten all the way up to Christmas. “Amathies” is another festive dish made with pork belly and stuffed with rice. It is a fiddly dish to prepare but well worth the effort. In the village of Moni, Anastasia Maraki took the time to cook it for us. As she cleaned and stuffed the offal, her mother-in-law, Irene Herouvim, told us all about the varieties of wild greens that grow on the island and how she uses them in the traditional Easter Saturday lamb offal “magiritsa” stew, along with mushrooms. Easter is generally a celebration that is centered on food, and especially on “patoudo” (or “batoudo”), a whole lamb stuffed with fragrant herbs.

Most of the locals didn’t start eating beef until the 1960s because it was expensive to rear and they preferred to sell it rather than consume it themselves.

Other food typically found on the family table are “fava” dip, a puree of cooked yellow split peas served with finely chopped onions and capers, stuffed tomatoes, goat and bean casserole, and, of course, a slew of dishes involving potato.

On this journey, through the locals’ stories and treats, I realized that the traditional cuisine of Naxos is very much alive. The food of yesteryear is still prepared today, with top-quality local products, cooked for the family but also served to the island’s visitors at its tavernas and restaurants.

RECIPE

Christina Kannelopoulou and her son Giorgos run the Mythodia restaurant, near the town hall, where the cook showed us her version of rosto, the island’s most iconic celebration dish.

Ingredients (serves 4-5)

1 1/2-kilo piece of pork shank tightly wrapped in twine or netting
4-5 cloves garlic, finely sliced
300 ml dry red wine
4 bay leaves
150 ml olive oil
3 large ripe tomatoes, crushed, or 500 gr diced and tinned
1 tbsp tomato paste
salt & pepper
1 stick cinnamon
3-4 allspice berries
2 cloves
1 tsp dried oregano
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 tbs dried
400 gr thick pasta

Score the meat and rub with salt and pepper, stuffing the cuts with garlic and oregano. Drizzle with olive oil. Heat the rest of the olive oil in a large saucepan and evenly brown the meat over a high heat. Add the wine and wait for 2 minutes until the alcohol has evaporated. Add the grated tomato, tomato paste and as much hot water as needed to just cover the meat. When it comes to the boil turn the heat down to medium, cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes. Then add the allspice, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves and thyme, cover the pot and cook for another 45 minutes until the meat is tender. Remove from the heat, put the meat on a board, remove the string and carefully cut into one-inch slices. Place slices back in the sauce and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 3 minutes less than recommended on the packet and finish off in the sauce. Remove the spices before serving. An aged grated cheese, preferably a Naxos variety, goes well on top.

* This article first appeared in the June 2014 edition of Gastronomos, Kathimerini’s monthly food supplement.

source: ekathimerini.com

A crocodile that has stumped authorities after appearing to be living in a dam in Crete earlier this summer is endemic to the Nile and is in good health, according to a French conservationist who specializes in the reptile and was brought in to help trap the animal.

Olivier Behra, called in to the region of Rethymo after several failed attempts to trap and relocate the crocodile, told local media site Cretalive that the animal is a male aged between 4 and 7 years, is around 1.70 meters long and appears to be surviving well on natural prey at Potami Dam. He also said he suspects the crocodile had spent a large part of his life in captivity.

source: ekathimerini.com

Up to seven per cent decline in rents in the last year. Photo: Anthony McPhee.

Rents for small, old Athenian apartments have fallen by a total of 50 per cent.

Reflecting the overall shrunken state of the Greek economy, rents for small, old Athenian apartments of up to 60 square meters have fallen by a total of 50 per cent since the recession started in 2008, according to research conducted by real estate consultancy group Remax Newdeal.

Rental rates for such properties have dropped by an estimated 5 to 7 per cent over the past year alone, the same study revealed. The drastic slide in rental rates for small, old flats in Athens, which wipes out the considerable gains made by property owners in the run-up to the economic crisis, has been attributed to the reduced number of Greek students relocating to the capital for studies, as well as lower demand from the immigrant market.

Another study, conducted by Alpha Bank, showed that rent levels increased by nearly 43 per cent between 2000 and 2011. The same study also revealed that property values soared by 91 per cent between 2000 and 2008.

Source: Ekathimerini

AUSTRALIAN aircraft have participated in a joint-humanitarian aid drop for the beleaguered Iraqi city of Amirli after a commitment to drop arms and munitions for Kurdish fighters battling Islamic state terrorists.

The Pentagon says aircraft from Australia, France and Britain joined the US in the aid drop of Amirli, where thousands of Shiite Turkomen have been cut off from food and water for nearly two months by Islamic State militants, AP reports.

The call for aid came at the request of the Iraqi government. The US military conducted air strikes against Islamic State militants in order to support the aid delivery.

Australia has dropped aid in Amirli. Source: Supplied

Australia had earlier committed to flying plane loads of arms and munitions into Iraq to help Kurdish fighters battling to repel Islamic State terrorists.

The Prime Minister Tony Abbott will announce today that Australia has agreed to a United States request to airlift support on RAAF C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster aircraft into northern Iraq.

The aircraft, based at the Al Minhad Air Base in Dubai, could fly their first mission within days to help arm Iraqis against jihadists.

Australia will join a multinational effort that includes the United Kingdom, Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Italy and France.

An IS fighter. Source: Twitter An IS fighter. Source: Twitter Source: Twitter

The United States may also ask Australia to consider deploying RAAF super hornets to support US air strikes as early as this week at NATO talks in Wales. Any request by the US secretary of state John Kerry, who is scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, will be considered by Australia’s National Security Committee.

The decision to airlift support to the Kurds was made at NSC a week ago and work has continued since to prepare for the mission.

The escalation of Australia’s involvement in the conflict comes amid Britain’s decision to increase the official terror threat to “severe’’ amid fears foreign fighters returning from the region are plotting terrorist attacks. Australia’s level remains at “medium’’ but may be increased in coming months.

The Prime Minister described the dangers in the region as a “witches brew of complexity and danger’’ on Friday confirming Australia was talking to the United States about further assistance. Last night, Labor leader Bill Shorten was briefed by the government on the plan to airlift assistance to the Iraqis.

Confirmation of Australia’s involvement in the mission to deliver “urgently needed’’ arms to the Iraqis follows the release of another decapitation video featuring the beheading of a captured Kurdish fighters.

The video warns Iraqi Kurdish leaders to end military cooperation with the United States.

Titled “A message in blood to the leaders of the American-Kurdish alliance” warns Islamic State will continue to decapitate prisoners if the cooperation continues.

Australia will not supply arms to the Iraqis but will assist in flying military equipment supplied by other countries into the region.

Albania has committed to sending up to 22 million AK47 rifle rounds and 32,000 artillery shells. Italy has agreed to send light automatic weapons and Soviet Union weapons seized during the Balkan wars.

Fighters from the al-Qaeda linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during a parade in Raqqa, Syria in June. Picture: AP Photo/Raqqa Media Centre Source: AP

US defence secretary Chuck Hagel urged other nations to join the mission last week, predicting more countries would announce assistance.

“This multinational effort, which is being coordinated with the Government of Iraq in Baghdad, will greatly assist Kurdish forces in repelling the brutal terrorist threat they face from ISIL,’’ he said.

“The United States appreciates the willingness of more and more of our allies and partners to support the Iraqi people in their fight against ISIL. Operations have already begun and will accelerate in the coming days with more nations also expected to contribute.’’

A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes a position to monitor security and movements around Kir A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes a position to monitor security and movements around Kirkuk on August 24. Picture: Marwan Ibrahim, AFP Photo Source: AFP

On Friday night, Britain upgraded the official terror alert from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’ but said it was not based on any intelligence suggesting an attack was imminent.

Attorney General George Brandis confirmed Australia’s own alert remained unchanged at “medium’’. However, intelligence agencies believe the threat is at the higher end of medium and the threat level may be increased in coming months.

Senator Brandis said Britain’s decision underlined the growing threat of returning jihadists. Intelligence agencies believe 60 Australians are engaged in fighting in Syria and Iraq, with up to 100 Australians involved in recruiting foreign fighters and suicide bombers at home. Two Australian men including Melbourne teenager Adam Dahman have blown themselves up in Iraq last year.

“We remain in close contact with the United Kingdom and other partners about the threat from terrorist groups active in Syria and Iraq and from returning foreign fighters,’’ Senator Brandis said.

“The large number of Australians participating in the conflict means Australia is facing its highest threat for some time, Australia’s threat level would be increased to ‘High’ if it were deemed that a terrorist attack is likely to occur. The Government is taking all necessary steps to keep Australia and Australian interests safe.”

The Australian Human Rights Commission also backed new laws to tackle terror threat yesterday, subject to adoption of human rights safeguards.

“Strong national security is essential to protect the personal security and rights of all Australians, but there are limits to the reach of national security laws when they unjustifiably restrict individual rights and freedoms” said Commission President, Gillian Triggs.

The Commission said that the potential impact of the laws on journalists, provisions enabling warrants for 12 months access to computers, computer networks and premises remained a concern.

Blanket immunity to ASIO officers from Australian law in conducting surveillance activities with inadequate, independent oversight also needed to be the subject of greater safeguards.

source: dailytelegraph.com.au

Ενισχυμένα μέτρα έλαβε χθες η αστυνομία στην περιοχή Saggart του δυτικού Δουβλίνου, όπου τελέστηκε η νεκρώσιμος ακολουθία του δολοφονηθέντος γκάνγκστερ Andy Connors, γνωστού και ως «ο χοντρός Αndy».

Ο Connors δολοφονήθηκε την περασμένη εβδομάδα μπροστά στα μάτια της έντρομης γυναίκας του και των έξι παιδιών του.

Η κηδεία του έγινε από το νεκροταφείο του Αγ. Μιχαήλ στο Gorey. Ο ιερέας, ενώπιον εκατοντάδων πενθούντων εξέφρασε την επιθυμία της οικογένειας Connors «να μην υπάρξουν αντίποινα για τον θάνατό του».

Η σορός του τοποθετήθηκε μέσα σε ένα χρυσό φέρετρο, για το οποίο εικάζεται ότι η οικογένεια Connors κατέβαλε το ποσό των 30.000 ευρώ.

Σύμφωνα με τη Daily Mail, ο «Fat Andy» αποτελούσε τον εγκέφαλο πολυπλόκαμου κυκλώματος που δρούσε σε όλη την έκταση της Ιρλανδίας και η παράνομη δράση της αφορούσε στην αποδοχή και διάθεση προϊόντων κλοπής και σε ξέπλυμα βρώμικου χρήματος.

Ο ίδιος είχε καταφέρει να χτίσει μία ολόκληρη «αυτοκρατορία» ακινήτων και διαβιούσε μια ζωή γεμάτη πολυτέλειες.

Η αστυνομία πραγματοποιεί εκτενείς έρευνες προκειμένου να εξακριβώσει τα κίνητρα των δολοφόνων και να συλλάβει τους δράστες.

Πηγή:zougla.gr