School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering
Mineralogical Museum gaio-ORAMA, 18 May 2021, 19.00
European Museum Night
“Geomythological Approach to Caves and Karst Springs”
E. Mariolakos, Emeritus Professor of Geology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
(To connect to the event click here)
The School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering celebrates the European Night of Museums, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 19.00, with an online virtual event of the Mineralogical Museum gaio-ORAMA dedicated to the fascinating world of caves. Hoping to return soon to live interesting events and physical encounters at our Museum.
The cave, man’s first shelter, a place of protection from the elements of nature but also a place of creation, communication and expression, is in a constant interaction with him. Sometimes it is imposed on him, sometimes he is either free to form, or it is revealed to him, whilst other times it hides its secrets well. It constantly brings upon research and exploration challenges, but it surely requires respect.
2021 has been declared by the International Union of Speleology, a world year for caves and karsts. The National Technical University of Athens with the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering is participating in the international network of organizations that arrange actions, with the aim of highlighting its wide public and karst areas, as potential landscapes of geo-cultural heritage and great environmental importance, which need to be promoted and protected (http://iyck2021.org/).
As part of this initiative, the School and the Mineralogical Museum gaio-ORAMA organizes a Cycle of Speleology Lectures. The inaugural speech of the Cycle will be given by Mr. E. Mariolakos, Emeritus Professor of Geology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, who will share with the public the results of his many years of research and will refer to the geo-mythological approach of caves and karst springs. According to mythology, caves were places of residence and worship of gods, deities and heroes of mythology, places with healing properties, feeders of man, places where they gave birth, hosted and protected water sources. But what are the boundaries between myth and reality? Is there truth behind the cave myths? What is the hidden prehistoric reality reflected in ancient myths?
The speech will be broadcasted online from the site of the Mineralogical Museum gaio-ORAMA, via webex. To connect to the event click here.