Fifteenth Call, Greece

      Katie Petrole, an archaeologist employed by America in Ancient Corinth, discussed with us what she is responsible for regarding ancient greek objects. She works specifically on researching and describing discovered artifacts such as those from Apollo's temple and the Peirene Fountain. The Peirene Fountain is an underground water system discovered three thousand years ago, and it is very important to the small village of Corinth because it still delivers water to residents today. For many years, inhabitants didn't realize that the water supplied to their wells belonged to the fountain, and by the time archaeologists discerned this, it was discovered that the water was contaminated with bacteria that caused typhoid fever. Because of this, scholars from the Corinth Museum had to further inspect the water system in order to provide safe water to current residents. Katie explained that the Peirene Fountain is found almost everywhere throughout Greek history and mythology.
      A student inquired how relevant Greek mythology was in Greece today. Was it still as prominent or had it faded away? Petrole explained that the legacy left behind from Greek mythology still greatly influences culture today in terms of monuments and buildings. Most people feel a connection to Greek mythology and recognize the impact ancient culture has had on modern life, however, there are a very few number of people who actually intensely follow the ancient Greek and Roman religion, such as Neopagans. They can be seen holding protests outside archaeological sites, or meeting outside museums for a religious ceremony.
      When a student asked if anyone had ever tried to steal any special artifacts, Petrole dived right into the most famous robbery the Ancient Corinth Museum received. Apparently, in 1900 over 200 objects were stolen including the money in the cash register which contained the workers' payday. Petrole went on to say that the village the museum is located in, is quite poor, resulting in attempted theft. Luckily, about ten years later, a scholar from museum spotted the objects at an auction house in Florida, noticing how suspicious it was for them to be displayed with there B side (the less famous side/angle of an artifact) in the catalogs instead of the A side (the more famous side).

Peirene Fountain In Corinth, Greece