In residential buildings, but also in public transport. As “members” of the family, but also as an antidote to the loneliness of quarantine. Recently, the presence of companion animals in our daily lives has increased so much that, among others, another question arises, in connection with the tourist season and not only: is it possible to let them into archaeological sites? Yes or no and under what conditions? Do they pose even a small danger to antiquities, or can they be visited with one’s companions in conditions related to their mode of transport, size and health? The issue was first raised in Central Archaeological Council April 11, and tomorrow it will be discussed again at its meeting. The parameters discussed at the first meeting, in addition to the above, also concerned what is applied in other states, whether vulnerable and protected areas by UNESCO will be excluded, etc. However, for now, the current law prohibits the entry of animals into archaeological sites, with the exception of guide dogs for people with disabilities.

Honorary Professor of Classical Archeology at the University of Athens. Panos Valavanis and head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Imathia Angeliki Kottaridis they deposit ink” their opinions.

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Necessary Calm

Panagiotis Valavanis*

In ancient times, the entry and stay of animal companions in the sanctuaries was forbidden, perhaps because their presence polluted the space and interfered with the action of ritual actions.

According to the Athenian historian Philochoros, in the summer of 306 BC. the dog escaped the attention of the guards, entered the Acropolis and climbed onto the altar of Zeus Herkey, under the sacred olive tree of Athena, where the priests found her sleeping. This event disturbed the Athenians just as it would disturb Christians today if a dog entered the sanctuary of the church and lay down on the Holy Altar! The Monk Philochor, who also performed the duties of a soothsayer and interpreter of the council of the gods, asked to immediately cleanse the altar and the entire Erechtheion in order to free it from the miasma of the animal.

However, there are also cases where the rule of prohibition did not apply, such as in the ancient sanatoriums of Asclepius: the fact that the saliva of dogs has antibacterial properties seems to have unconsciously led the ancients (who did not know about bacteria) to attribute healing properties to these animals. So, in the sanctuaries of Asclepius, dogs were kept, which were part of … a staff. Indeed, in the images of the God of Medicine himself on coins from Epidaurus, Asclepius is represented with his symbols, a scepter and a snake, sitting on a stool, under which lies a dog.

Today, our relationship with companion animals has changed dramatically, especially in recent years, resulting in more and more claims from their animal-loving advocates. Without diminishing the rights of our fellow citizens who are both philanthropists and animal lovers, I think that in terms of allowing them to visit archaeological sites, we must remain true to the ideas and practices of the ancients. Not only because animals urinate and defecate anywhere, with obvious unpleasant consequences for monuments and people, but mainly so that the peace necessary for our meaningful contact with monuments is not disturbed.

* Mr. Panagiotis Valavanis is Professor Emeritus of Classical Archeology, EKPA.

Owner’s responsibility

Angelica Kottaridis*

The day before yesterday I returned from a ten-day trip to Turkey. From Ephesus to Laodicea, Aphrodisias, Miletus and Priene, we visited four museums and twelve very important archaeological sites. Everywhere we were met by well-mannered and absolutely tame dogs and cats, most of them with the distinctive sign of veterinary care on their ear, who played and stroked the visitors … Two three-cute puppies lived in the Aphrodisias Museum. , in the Museum of Miletus, in the living room of visitors, a majestic cat reigned. None of the visitors seemed bothered by their presence, quite the contrary.

Here, unfortunately, we are still debating whether dominant cat-sized dogs and caged cats will be allowed to accompany their people in the open air, usually vast and in any case larger than city parks frequented by archaeological sites. Arguments such as the risk of allergies or phobic reactions on the part of other visitors even sound like, considering keeping pets and being an owner in a public place, just tests common sense!

Knowing firsthand what enormous hardships the current rules create for our animal loving visitors, I believe they should be lifted yesterday and controlled dogs and cats allowed to follow their owners around archaeological sites, even without the proposed restrictions (dog weight 10 kg). , height 40 cm). Under current law, owners are always fully responsible for the behavior of their four-legged friends, and this is obviously the case here as well. In fact, it is good that small dominant dogs, companion dogs and cats (remember the Hermitage guards) are also allowed into museums, always under the responsibility of their owners.

And after we’ve done away with the obvious, let’s actually get down to tackling the real problem, which is the homeless poor. In cooperation with the municipalities, we can and must finally take care of them and take care of them, as befits those who want to be considered civilized people … After all, “animals tame us.”

* Ms. Angelica Kottaridis is the Curator of the Department of Antiquities of Imathia.