Glenn Maffia

IN a rather strange circumstance I find myself in Ortakent (near Bodrum) sitting in the dappled shade of a Tamarisk tree, the ones that grow in the sand of the beach, writing the final article of the printed edition this year.

Present and past combine

It has been a tremendous thrill and pleasure to bring to you all, who have a more than a passing interest in the Temple of Apollo and its superlative environment of the many other ancient structures, the breaking news from this season’s digging season.

Not only has this been a joy, but it has pushed me into areas I could never have dreamed of; the meeting with Ian Jenkins, senior curator at the British Museum for Greek and Roman Antiquities, the many personnel of the German Archaeological Institute, the publishing of my book on this history and lastly, but not least, the publishing of the first ever map of the ancient site, which we produced at ‘Voices’ (Ian Jenkins was so impressed by that).

The response I received from a section of the British community in Didim fired oxygen into me, as I feared I was a voice alone at times. I thank you sincerely for infusing me with renewed energy.

A new age

Certainly the intransigence of the local population with regards to the “load of old stones” has been stubbornly drenched in the romanticism of the Exchange of Populations in 1924.

I am sincerely hoping that familial entrenchment shall be corrected by the new Minister for Culture and Tourism, Nuri Ersoy.

The article printed next to mine in last week’s ‘Voices’, in which he articulated his vision, appeared to corroborate everything I espoused in my piece.

Let us hope that a new vision, seeing further than mass tourism, can develop and flourish. I am of the opinion that the rewards shall be impressively significant, both intellectually and economically.

One thing is for sure, we as a town cannot hang on to and depend upon the mass tourist market alone. A diversity is now all too apparently required.

The history and archaeology market, if the Temple environment is properly considered and managed, shall bring a far better quality of tourist into our midst.

If only the different authorities could become enlightened and close the road that is open (that which snakes around the Temple) and open the one that is closed, the Sacred Way containing the Roman Baths, I know would be a massive step forward towards achieving this stated goal.

A sentiment echoed by the archaeologists this year.

Perplexing ambitions

It is a perplexing anomaly that Didim remains stagnant in this field, whilst other sites in Turkey are being excavated and researched with vigour and imagination. Is this also to do with the willingness or unwillingness of the local populations?

I would have thought that the direct descendants from the Exchange of Populations in Didim would have preferred their place of residence to be known worldwide as a centre of ancient cultural prominence.