Greek engineers have discovered that part of the cliff on which the Acropolis sits in central Athens is beginning to crumble, Art Daily has reported.
The discovery was made during an investigation into a rockfall in January, in which a large boulder broke from the flat-topped rock and tumbled towards the city. The Central Archaeological Council concluded that the cliff showed signs of “instability over quite a wide area.” The Council reported that engineering intervention would be required to secure the southern side of the hill on which the ancient temple is located. According to engineers, the problems are being caused by rainwater pipes from the Acropolis museum.
Despite six years of recession, an unemployment rate of 27%, and far-reaching EU imposed austerity measures, Greece has prioritized the restoration of the Acropolis, which has been ongoing since the 1970s. The monument is a symbol of the country’s glorious past and one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Parthenon was built as a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, considered by the ancient Athenian people as the city-state’s patron. The temple was constructed in 447BC, when the Athenian empire was at the pinnacle of its power.
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