In the final decade of the 20th century the Metro system of Athens was expanded to accommodate a growing population. The impact of this new subway system on the archaeological sites and monuments of Athens, such as the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the Kerameikos, provoked a discussion on the pros and cons of this project. While the potential threat to the stability of some monuments posed by the excavation and vibrations of the subway system may be viewed as controversial, the advantages included the unification of the archaeological sites by establishing pedestrian roads thereby contributing to the historic continuity of the city.
Alice Boccia Paterakis has been serving as Director of Conservation for the Kaman-Kalehöyük, Yassihöyük, and Büklükale excavations and Museum in Central Anatolia, Turkey, for the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology since 2008. Prior to this she served as Director of Conservation for the Ancient Agora Excavation and Museum in Athens, Greece, for the American School of Classical Studies from 1986 until 2004. Alice holds a MA in Conservation from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and a PhD in Conservation from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. Alice is a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in London, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in Washington, D.C., and the American Academy in Rome.
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