Athens
The adventure begins in Athens, a city that is truly stunning from every angle — from the Acropolis looming large over the city, to the Cretaceous limestone hill of Mount Lycabettus (300 meters above sea level) — both constant reminders of the incredible heritage of this city. Only three days into my study tour in Greece with Brock University and I have not been let down or disappointed once!
View of the Acropolis from the ancient Agora
Mixing Science and Archaeology
Dr. Dimitrios Michailidis, laboratory coordinator at the Malcom H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science of the ASCSA (American School of Classical Studies at Athens), an active research department dedicated to archaeological science in Greece, was our tour guide for the morning. The lab provides international scholars of archaeological science the resources to answer scientific questions. Dr. Michalidis started our tour by showing us the inner workings of the lab, including new lab equipment such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X — pretty powerful stuff. A mosquito looked like an alien creature from a different planet — the detail was incredible! The fun didn’t stop there; Dr. Michalidis presented recent archaeological finds that simply blew my mind: ancient Neolithic bones! I was in awe at how pristine and well preserved each bone appeared — as though I was gazing upon recent skeletal remains rather than something that was several millennia in age.
Binocular stereoscopic microscopes for examining samples such as: dirt, clay, bone and pottery fragments
Dr. Dimitrios Michailidis explaining the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Stretch, Hydrate and Sunblock!
Start of the zig zag staircase heading up Mount Lycabettus
After indulging my inner g(r)eek with archaeological science, I was off to hike (300m) Mount Lycabettus. The summit can be reached in two ways: by trekking up a wide set of stairs that zig zag or by riding the funicular which can be caught from Ploutarchou street. I highly recommend reaching the summit by foot, but don’t let the height, heat or sun discourage you. The beautiful view — and I’m talking mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, eye-opening beautiful view — is enough to motivate anyone in conquering the climb.
Spectacular view of Athens mid climb
At its peak there is the small 19th century Chapel of St.George and an observation deck with fantastic views of the Acropolis, Kalimarmaro Stadium and the Temple of Zeus! So if you’re in Athens, grab your hiking shoes and get a move on!
Enjoying the peak with new friends
Chapel of St. George
Incredible History
My final stop was at the Agora and Agora museum — a remarkable site to feast your eyes upon. The ancient agora is located to the northwest of the Acropolis and is littered with ancient city remains with a spectacular view of the Acropolis itself. While walking the terrain I stopped at several incredible sites in which the great philosopher Socrates has been mentioned throughout history, including: the stoa of Zeus Eleutherios where Socrates apparently gathered with friends and also the state prison in which Socrates may have drank a hemlock (a poison used to execute prisoners condemned to death). How cool is that?
State Prison where Socrates may have drunk a hemlock (poison)
To sum it up, I am in complete awe of the history and scenery of this city and can’t wait to see what other treasures Greece has in store for me on this trip. This is how history should be experienced!
Agora Museum
