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Friday, 29 November 2024
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-13Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Intact horse skeletons discovered in ancient cemetery in southern coastal AthensA burial site containing an unusually well preserved skeleton of a horse, intact even down to the hooves, was among the finds discovered during landscaping works around the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in the Faliro Delta, a prime tract of land in southern coastal Athens and previously hosted the country's only pari-mutuel horse track. The find was presented to the Central Archaeological Council during a session held on Tuesday, with members stressing its importance."In the Faliro necropolis we have found four complete horse graves, as well as parts of other skeletons, therefore, it is not something rare for the area. What is rare and surprised us was the degree of preservation of the specific skeleton, which even has its hooves. For zoo-archaeologists or a university, this find could be an excellent opportunity for a study. Having such a large number of skeletons - four is quite a number - such a study could reach a number of conclusions on the breeds and the evolution of the species. From this point of view, this find is very important," the top archaeologist Stella Chrysoulaki explained. Chrysoulaki is in charge of the excavation, which is near works to dig an artificial canal on the grounds around the centre. She noted that buried horses in a cemetery for people periodically occurred, while it was not strange for the Faliro necropolis, "where unbelievable things happen." She noted that it was a cemetery stretching from the archaic era into the Classical era, containing many strange and unusual finds. One such was the discovery of two skeletons, possibly of a couple, lying with their hands clasped. This indicated that they actually died together, since rigor mortis did not allow other conclusion, she said. A total of 136 burial sites dating back to the archaic era had been found in the 840-square-metre ancient cemetery, including the horse burial site and sections of a mass grave, burial urns and other finds. The Central Archaeological Council approved continuing construction works over the discovered structurs, which mostly consisted of holes in the ground, while the skeletons were removed for study. Proposals were made to display and highlight some of the finds at the cultural centre. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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