Το Επίτιμο Μέλος του Πολιτιστικόυ Συλλόγου μας κ Έκτωρ Κάτλινγκ έστειλε επιστολή για το θέμα του Σκουπιδότοπου στον Υπουργό Πολιτισμού κ Γερουλάνο

Ο ΕΠΙΦΑΝΗΣ ΑΓΓΛΟΣ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΟΣ ‘’ΣΕΡ ΕΚΤΩΡ ΚΑΤΛΙΝΓΚ’’ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΛΕΟΝ ΕΠΙΤΙΜΟ ΜΕΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΟΤΙΚΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΘΛΗΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΥ ΑΦΥΣΣΟΥ ‘’ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΟΙ. ΕΠΙΣΗΣ ΣΥΜΠΑΡΑΣΤΕΚΕΤΑΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΑΓΩΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΚΛΕΙΣΙΜΟ ΤΟΥ ΧΑΔΑ ΑΦΥΣΣΟΥ. EΣΤΕΙΛΕ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ !!!

Η επιστολή του Σερ Έκτωρ Κάτλινγκ είναι η εξής:

Dear Mr Yeroulanos,

Aphysou, Lakonias: Rubbish Dump at Provatomandra

Friends of mine, residents of Aphysou, Lakonia, have recently told me of their worries over the likely effect on their environment of the continuing use of the large rubbish dump at Provatomandra, Aphysou. I hope you will not consider it out of order if I ask whether there is anything you can do to help them.

During the years 1971-1989, when I was Director of the British School at Athens, I had the privilege of excavating within the village lands of Aphysou, first at the Menelaion, later at Tsakona. After I retired, until 1999, I and my late wife spent at least a month every year at Aphysou (where I still rent a house) preparing these excavations for publication. Members of my family continue this work to the present time, so I feel I have 36 years uninterrupted connection with the village.

After so many years, I and my family have a great affection for the village and its people, and for its beautiful environment, in the hollow between Parnon and Taygetos.

20 years ago, when I was excavating at Tsakona, at the remains of the sanctuary of Zeus Messapeus, I was very aware of the proximity of the Provatomandra rubbish dump. This experience helps me understand the village’s dismay at its continuing use, their fear of pollution of water resources (including the nearby Kelephina river, tributary of the Evrotas). On these aspects of the problem it is for others to speak, with necessary expertise. I can, however, speak of the harm the dump is doing to an environment that encompasses a number of the ancient sites, including the 17^th century monastery of Agioi Tessarakonta, to the east, and Zeus Messapeus, to the west. In their anxiety about the health hazard to themselves that the rubbish dump represents, the inhabitants of Aphysou have found room in their hearts for an appeal on behalf of the relics of their ancestors. I understand they are fully supported in this by the Ephor of the 5^th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities (Sparta) and by the Ephor of the 5^th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities (Sparta).

I do hope, Sir, that you can lend your authority to help those fearful of the outcome if the Provatomandra dump continues in any sort of use.

Yours sincerely,

Hector Catling

(MA, DPhil, PhD Athens honoris causa,

Honorary member of the Archaeological Society of Athens)