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Source– This post on Delos Island has been created based on the article “Ancient Greek sanctuary slowly sinks into the Aegean Sea” published in “The Hindu” on 13 June 2024.
Why in the news?
An expert has warned that the remarkable ancient site on the small Greek island of Delos is “at risk of vanishing” within decades due to rising sea levels and geological processes.
About Delos Island
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. It is a rocky island and part of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. It was first settled in the 3rd millennium B.C. and significant in the 1st millennium B.C. 2. Delos is now largely uninhabited, but its rugged granite landscape covers approximately 1.3 square miles. |
| Mythology and History | 1. Delos was considered a holy sanctuary for a millennium before it became known as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Olympian Greek mythology. 2. The island’s Sacred Harbour features three conical mounds associated with a goddess (possibly Athena). 3. UNESCO recognized Delos as a World Heritage Site due to its exceptional archaeological remains, its influence on Greek architecture, and its sacred importance throughout Ancient Greece |
| Archaeological Significance | 1. Extensive excavations have revealed artifacts that are now displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Delos and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. 2. The island was inhabited since the third millennium BCE and served as a major cult center for gods like Dionysus and Leto. 3. Delos underwent purification rituals to ensure proper worship of the gods, including the removal of graves within sight of the temple. |
Key Facts about the Aegean Sea
1. It is located in the East Mediterranean Basin, with the Greek peninsula to the west and Anatolia (Asian side of Turkey) to the east.
2. The Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits connect the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, respectively.
3. Most Aegean Islands belong to Greece. Turkey’s notable possessions in the Aegean Sea are Imbros (Gökçeada) and Tenedos (Bozcaada) in the northeastern part.
Climate of the Aegean Sea
1. It is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of Western Turkey and Greece.
2. It is defined by drier and hotter summers with milder winters. It is classified as cold semi-arid, with cooler summers.
3. The Etesian wind significantly influences the weather in the Aegean basin.
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
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