European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 21, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                National geographic Wnok woman about 30years old was buried in Tomb at a necropolis near me Aponto Italy in about 430 . Ancient greeks Rich legacy in Italy National geographic a Merican archaeologists have recovered 230 skeletons and hundreds of priceless Art treasures irom he tombs of greeks who colonized Southern Italy 2.800years ago. Rich soil Drew the farming cd tonsils to the Soi Hern italian Peninsula where they founded new towns and took Over old ones. Discovered about 25 Miles West of present Day Taranto near the site of the ancient greek City of Malaponti. The artefacts include painted vases engraved Bronze mirrors and a Lyre fashioned from a Tortoise Shell. In Andilian. Afler pumping out the Reservoir and part of a Spring associated with a sacred Sanctuary at pantanello Silhol the cemetery hat served the Rural population outside Meta Polo. The archaeological team found hundreds of seeds from Barley wheat grapes and a number of other crops. Ii was incredible says Joseph c. Carlsr a University of Texas Archon Loisl who has been directing a Long term study of the me Aponto Region. We even found 2.300 year old grapes Wilh skins and All Many of the Art objects Date Tom Tho tilth Conjury 6 a a period associated Wilhow dial we be Una overed in Iho last Lew  Carter says. Details emerging from his research on Iho Countryside and people outside me Lapollo Are Hting a Large Gap in greek history because Lew scientists have Ever undertaken a detailed look at Tho environs of classical greek cities anywhere. It s hard to believe Carter says bul we now know More about the people who lived outside mat Apollo Ihan about the Farmers who tilled Fields near  there s no question that the Metal online colonists enjoyed Good Art just As much As the los Back Home of Iha 2,000 vases we found 60 or 70 Are of the highest Quality and would make prize possessions in any museum in the world says Carter whose work has Boon partially supported by Tho National geographic society. Most of the objects found in 314 lornts and 45 deposits of ceramics will eventually to displayed in a building the italian government in eroding near the silo. Luck spared the Arlila cts from modern Loo Luis an Olive Grove had been planted Over Tho cemetery at pantanello. But not Long ago the owners of the land decided to Cul Down the Trees and plan More Pioli ahle crops. Pottery started coming out of the ground along Wilh uprooted Trees says Carter fortunately our Loam was in Tho area and we got permission irom the local aul hotties to exc Valc Tho  Tho Region s Prosperity is Rel Tecler nol Only in the saturday March 21, 19b7 the stars and stripes nation Al geographic Birds Anil Lowers symbols of aphrodite god dest of love embellish ancient Bronze Mirror Bur fed with wealthy greek woman at Metaponte Italy. Contents of the bombs bul in the burial Chambers themselves. Built with massive Stone blocks. The largest burial Cills weigh several ions end measure 8 to 10 feet Long and 5 feet High. Most of Tho targe bombs look like big covered Bones bul some have Slop a roots Hal give them Iho appearance of Small Iii dings Carlsr says. More numerous ate relatively modes bombs fashioned from tiles and simple burials where the deceased were placed in unpretentious Collins of painted plaster. Some of the richest and most interesting objects came from some of the humblest Graves to Haven t yet figured Oul Why says Carton. Tho Graves of Rich and poor alike indicate that disease was a menace to Delap Onemo society. Many skulls found in the tombs particularly those dating irom Iho first Hall of the filth Century . Show evidence of a form of anaemia related to malaria. It was a time when armours along the area s Rich Valley Bottoms were plagued by flooding and drainage problems. From the resulting pestilential swamps Rose swarms of disease bearing most moles. We have Iho Best evidence yet found for the existence of malaria in the ancient world Carton says. Founded in the seventh Century  by seniors from Iho Northern Peloponnesus Meta Polo soon became 3 thriving City state. Goats sheep and cattle grazed Fields carved from Lush Oak and Pine forests. Tho Fields turned Golden Wilh Barley and wheat Barley. The main source of wealth was depicted on Many of the Colony s coins. Grape Laden vines produced expo i Quality wines. Many of the seeds found Al pantanello their Dan molecules intact offer challenging research possibilities. Tho Ona molecule stores the code Hal every Ceil uses to sustain and duplicate Itsell and is crucial to the genetic programming of All living things scientists studying Tho seeds May to Able by comparing genes of ancient and modern crops to determine Tho Hind of plan Breeding Iha look place 25 censures ago. In a 16-Square-mile area just two Miles irom the cily. Iho  found Mote than 500 Larm Sites each averaging about 25 acres dominating the avoid age Larm Slead was a Square Renud Hack dwelling of eight or nine rooms with a tile roof some of thu rooms probably housed the family lives lock. Al Mot Aponto s Peak about 510 . To Ligi ire that roughly 20.000 people lived in the cily arid another 20.00d lived in the surrounding 50.000jicrcs," Camci says. Page 17o