Archive for category: News

The installation of specialised geotechnical instruments in the southern gallery of the ancient Nymphs quarry has recently been completed. The instruments have been placed at critical points within the underground gallery, extending to a distance of approximately 100 meters from its entrance.

The system comprises a wide array of instruments, including crack meters, tilt meters, strain gauges, a vibration/acceleration monitor, and sensors for temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels (along with a meteorological station located outside the gallery). These instruments will enable real-time monitoring of the quarry’s rock mass, allowing for reliable conclusions regarding any changes occurring within it and the underlying causes of such changes.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the A. & M. Martinos Foundation for their generous financial support of this project, and to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades for their excellent cooperation. We also extend our thanks to the project contractor, Mr. Larintzakis of SetPoint Technologies for the high quality of his work, as well as to the AMKE’s technical consultant, Professor V. Marinos of the National Technical University of Athens, for his highly professional and reliable contribution.

The Board of Directors of the non-profit organisation “Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park” AMKE

On 30.9.2026, a meeting was held between the Mayor of Paros Mr. Bizas and the Minister of Culture Mrs. Mendoni, which was also attended by representatives of the NGO Ancient Quarries (AMKE). It was an important development that allowed these three sides to prioritise and coordinate the most important of the interventions promoted for the protection and promotion of the ancient quarries in Marathi. In addition to the prominent issue of protecting and improving the stability of the Nymphs quarry, there was agreement from all sides to promote a package of measures for the promotion of the first section of the Panos quarry and to investigate the possibility of intervention in the largest of the industrial buildings from the period of the exploitation of the quarries in the 19th century.

It should be noted that, at the initiative of AMKE and funded by the A. & M. Martinos Foundation, the installation of instrumental monitoring of the southern gallery of the Nymphs Quarry is soon to be completed and the implementation of strengthening measures in the two historical buildings located at the entrances to the Nymphs quarry (known as “winch stations”) has also been approved.

AMKE has already signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades and collaborates closely with the Municipality of Paros and local cultural associations. On 17/7/26, representatives of AMKE presented its activities to the Municipal Council and there was a favourable acceptance of the report of its work and a positive response from all parties to the proposal for the creation of an Ancient Quarries Park, in collaboration with the Municipality. Such a cultural park will be able to offer archaeological walks and guided tours, periodic and permanent sculpture exhibitions, cultural events (concerts, lectures, etc.), resting and information points for visitors, organised parking and much more.

Underground for Value (U4V) – The Ancient White Marble Quarries of Paros

U4V, an open expert network and community of practice, brings together those committed to safeguarding Underground Built Heritage while unlocking the regenerative potential of subterranean spaces in urban and rural areas. Its U4V Platform (www.u4v.org) is a multilingual, geo-referenced interactive hub that offers information on underground heritage sites and routes. U4V has recently (June 2026) published an analysis of the Paros case regarding the efforts to protect and promote the Ancient Marble Quarries of Paros – see The Ancient White Marble Quarries of Paros.

Indiana University – Into the Hallowed Ground: Saving the Marble Quarries of Paros