Ancient Quarries Event – Thursday 27/7/2023

On 27 July 2023, at an event held in Marathi, the non-profit organisation “Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park AMKE” presented the work it has carried out in the first year of its existence and discussed the strategy and actions required in the future to overcome the obstacles that remain and to develop the archaeological site in Marathi into an archaeological and cultural park worthy of the global value of the unique monument of the Ancient Quarries.

The main protection actions implemented or promoted by AMKE in the field of protection include:

1. the 3D digital mapping and geological survey of all the underground galleries of the Pan’s and Nymphs’ quarries carried out by a team of the NTUA led by Professor V. Marinos;
2. the project for the improvement of the stability and accessibility of the galleries (beginning with the specification of immediate temporary or permanent support measures in the places that present the most serious instability problems) which is in progress with funding from Cycladic Identity initiative of the Museum of Cycladic Art.

The main promotion actions implemented by AMKE include:

1. the construction and installation of information boards as a first step for reversing the current impression of abandonment presented by the archaeological site;
2. the creation of AMKE’s website, parianmarble.com, where a large amount of material has been collected in relation to the history and cultural value of the Ancient Quarries;
3. the organization of a range of communication activities to highlight the importance of the monument (regular visits – guided tours of the site, information events, such as the one held last November in Parikia, and presentations at the high schools of Parikia and Naoussa).

The challenges ahead include:

• The status of the ownership of the land. The AMKE continues its efforts to help the transfer of the ownership to the public sector with priority accorded to the site containing the entrances to the galleries of the Nymphs’ quarry. Not only this would achieve unhindered access to the underground galleries, it would also allow measures for the protection of the stability of the nearby 19^th century winch stations which are in precarious state.
• The most important task is the preparation of the Master Plan for the gradual creation of the archaeological and cultural park. The Master Plan will be the road map for the step-by-step journey towards this goal. It will determine the land uses in the area and will determine the scope, timing and budget of the studies and projects that must be implemented for the development and operation of the park.