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Three years ago, the "METALLON LOCATIONS: cultural crossroads in the eastern Mediterranean" project was launched, which was implemented in the framework of the INTERREG V-A Greece - Cyprus 2014-2020 Cooperation Programme and co-funded by the European Union (E.T.P.A.) and the National Funds of Greece and Cyprus. The main objectives of the project were, firstly, the promotion of the mining heritage of three Cycladic islands, Sifnos, Serifos and Kythnos, but also that of the Community of Asgata. Secondly, the promotion of new thematic forms of tourism, with a view to the sustainable development and sustainability of these areas. For the implementation of the Act, the NCSR "Demokritos", the Ephorate of Cyclades Antiquities (Ministry of Culture and Tourism), the Municipality of Sifnos, the Archaeology Research Unit of the University of Cyprus and the Community of Asgata collaborated.
The result of this project is the Asgata Mining Heritage Museum, which is being inaugurated today.
When we were planning the proposal, I was fortunate to meet Giannakis Papaioannou, who was introduced to me by Yannis Violaris, Archaeological Officer in charge of the Limassol District.
When we were planning the proposal, I was fortunate to meet Giannakis Papaioannou, who was introduced to me by Yannis Violaris, Archaeological Officer in charge of the Limassol District. This acquaintance and the fact that within the boundaries of the community of Asgata and the adjacent community of Kalavasos, five copper mines are located that were probably exploited from prehistoric times to Late Antiquity, and again in the 20th century, was the reason why we chose to focus our attention on the area where we are located, and to work with Asgata.
An equally important reason was the fact that the community council and especially the chairman of the community council, Mr. Giannakis Papaioanou, had already started an effort to highlight the mining heritage of Asgata by restoring the old primary school and collecting objects from their fellow villagers who had worked in the mines. Also, Dr. George Maliotis, former Director of the Hellenic Mining Company, donated to the community for the same purpose a large number of specialized instruments used by the company to locate the deposits, as well as rich archival material such as the maps and photographs included in the exhibition.
The following members of the Archaeology Research Unit participated in the Metal Sites project. On behalf of the Community, Dr Dimitris Ioannidis participated together with the Community Manager Mr Giannakis Papaioannou and Mrs Marina Papaioannou.
During the two years of the project we worked systematically and applied an interdisciplinary methodology for the mapping and study of the ancient mining and metallurgical remains of the area and the history of modern exploitation. We also designed 3 walking tours designed to offer visitors the opportunity to see the remains of these mines, while exploring the natural landscape of the area. To help visitors, we created, in collaboration with the Institute of Technology and Research of Crete, a Web GIS platform, which includes a lot of useful information for those visiting Asgata and its mines and the surrounding area.
But undoubtedly the most important result of this project is this wonderful museum which you will have the opportunity to admire in a moment. The renovation of the school was undertaken by the architect Tota Malouzaridou, while the museographic study and the design of the exhibition was undertaken by Lara Alpha in collaboration with Chloe Alpha. The graphic design is the work of Savvas Thomas.
Dr. George Maliotis was our main scientific advisor in the creation of the museum. Without Mr. Maliotis' generosity, help and perseverance nothing would have happened. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to publicly thank him for everything he has taught us, for the time he has given us and for the work he has done to complete this joint effort!
The museum's exhibition is structured in four thematic sections. The first is on the geology of the Troodos and the mining areas and includes samples of minerals and rocks.
The second section presents the ancient exploitation of the deposits and copper production in antiquity. It presents ancient miners' tools found in the galleries when the mines were reopened in the 20th century. At this point I would like to thank the Department of Antiquities for lending these objects for the purposes of the exhibition.
The next section exhibits the equipment of modern miners who work underground under difficult and dangerous conditions. One of the most interesting exhibits you will see is the log book, which includes the details of each miner in each shift.
The last section presents specialized geophysical survey instruments of the Hellenic Mining Company, which were used to locate copper deposits.
Through the exhibition, the visitor is given a complete picture of the course of the ore, from the moment it is found in the natural environment, the mining process, up to its enrichment and loading onto ships for export.
On the screens included in the exhibition visitors can watch a documentary prepared for the purposes of the project, while on computers children can play a digital museum game prepared for us by the CYENS Centre of Excellence. The aim of the game is for the children to learn how copper and silver were produced in ancient times.
All this great work has been completed thanks to the cooperation of many people, to whom I am grateful. None of this could have been accomplished without the full support and help of the President, Mr. Giannakis Papaioannou, and the members of the Asgata Community Council, whom I thank in particular. As I have already mentioned, Mr. Georgios Maliotis, former director of the Hellenic Mining Company, was a scientific supporter and helper in the whole effort. We thank him for everything he donated to the museum and for his overall support.
In closing I would like to thank all the members of my team, Andreas, Dimitris, Francesca and Savina, without whose hard work we would not have gotten this far. Their contribution has been particularly important in the last ten months during which my new duties have prevented me from working on the project. Special thanks to Savina Hadjipandeli who took on and successfully handled everything that needed to be done to complete the museum, even when she was no longer working on the project. Warm thanks also to Tota, Lara, Chloe and Savvas, thanks to whose talent and work we have this excellent and elegant result.
Finally, thanks to many other friends and collaborators who helped in the success of the project and the completion of the museum. I hope that it will be used effectively by as many groups of visitors as possible, young and old, local and foreign.
As Deputy Minister of Culture and as a member of the Government of President Christodoulides, which has an anthropocentric philosophy, I recognize the urgent need to protect, preserve and promote our cultural heritage and especially the mining heritage of our island.
As Deputy Minister of Culture and as a member of the Government of President Christodoulides, which has an anthropocentric philosophy, I recognize the urgent need to protect, preserve and promote our cultural heritage and especially the mining heritage of our island. I want to strengthen every effort to initiate and carry out research and other projects that contribute to the realization of these goals. The museum of Asgata, which is the result of such a project, is a shining example. I assure you that I will do everything I can to bring the museum to the attention it deserves.
Thank you for your attention.
(EC)
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