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The Parthenon was in color

ATHENS, February 24, 2006 - The white of the Parthenon is one of the clearest memories of those who have visited Athens and its Acropolis.

But the Parthenon was originally colored in some parts, in blue, red and green.
This was revealed today at the head of the team of archaeologists in charge of the restoration of the most famous monument of Ancient Greece, dating back to 2400 years ago.

'A recent cleaning operation by laser revealed traces of haematite (red), Egyptian blue and malachite-azurite (green-blue) on the sculptures of the west frieze,' said archaeologist Evi Papakonstantinou-Zioti .
If traces of the first two colors had already been discovered in other parts of the temple - said the expert - the presence of malachite-azurite was revealed only in the second phase of the restoration.

Taking into account the testimony of several writers and historians, it is very likely that the columns of the Parthenon were colored. Teams of archaeologists and scholars have undertaken since 1987 to repair the damage caused to the marble of the temple weather and air pollution. The restoration of the Parthenon - dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of the city - should be completed in 2009.

from National Newspaper