DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4945#0004
Preface. v
It had originally been proposed to leave the site in the condition in which
it stood at the close of the season of 1905 : that is, with the pavement laid
bare and, so far as possible, cleared of rubbish, and the architectural remains and
the evidence of different levels as much exposed as was necessary in order to
make the plans and the history intelligible to the studious traveller. Unfortun-
ately this was not to be: probably, as Mr. Hogarth suggests, the low-level
excavation had opened up new springs ; whatever the cause, the pit in which
the temple lies speedily became a pond, and has remained so ever since.
In October, 1905, the Turkish officials reported that the villagers of
Ayasoluk and the locality were suffering from a severe outbreak of malaria,
which they attributed to the insanitary condition of the site of the Artemision.
As a matter of fact, in the opinion of competent authorities, the site was then
no worse—indeed, much better—in this respect than it had been before the
excavation, owing to the clearance of shrubs and undergrowth. Moreover, it
was notorious that, in consequence of the abnormal rains, some of the healthiest
villages round Smyrna were equally affected. For various reasons, however,
it was judged expedient to accede to the official request, and it was decided to
fill in the site as far as the ordinary water level—that is to say, slightly below
the level of the Croesus temple. This is shortly to be done.
For valuable assistance during the excavations, special thanks are due to the
Austrian Archaeological Society (especially to Dr. Heberdey); to Mr. H. A.
Cumberbatch, C.M.G., H.B.M. Consul-General at Smyrna; and to Mr. A.
Barfield, Manager of the Ottoman Railway.
In the revision of the text, and in the preparation of the plates,
Mr. Hogarth has had the active co-operation of the staff of this Department.
Cecil Smith.
Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
January, 1908.
It had originally been proposed to leave the site in the condition in which
it stood at the close of the season of 1905 : that is, with the pavement laid
bare and, so far as possible, cleared of rubbish, and the architectural remains and
the evidence of different levels as much exposed as was necessary in order to
make the plans and the history intelligible to the studious traveller. Unfortun-
ately this was not to be: probably, as Mr. Hogarth suggests, the low-level
excavation had opened up new springs ; whatever the cause, the pit in which
the temple lies speedily became a pond, and has remained so ever since.
In October, 1905, the Turkish officials reported that the villagers of
Ayasoluk and the locality were suffering from a severe outbreak of malaria,
which they attributed to the insanitary condition of the site of the Artemision.
As a matter of fact, in the opinion of competent authorities, the site was then
no worse—indeed, much better—in this respect than it had been before the
excavation, owing to the clearance of shrubs and undergrowth. Moreover, it
was notorious that, in consequence of the abnormal rains, some of the healthiest
villages round Smyrna were equally affected. For various reasons, however,
it was judged expedient to accede to the official request, and it was decided to
fill in the site as far as the ordinary water level—that is to say, slightly below
the level of the Croesus temple. This is shortly to be done.
For valuable assistance during the excavations, special thanks are due to the
Austrian Archaeological Society (especially to Dr. Heberdey); to Mr. H. A.
Cumberbatch, C.M.G., H.B.M. Consul-General at Smyrna; and to Mr. A.
Barfield, Manager of the Ottoman Railway.
In the revision of the text, and in the preparation of the plates,
Mr. Hogarth has had the active co-operation of the staff of this Department.
Cecil Smith.
Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
January, 1908.