European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Basilica is the oldest of the site s temples a dating Back some 2,500 years a but is in relatively Good  site abounds in antiquities by Gary Miller Mediterranean Bureau the diver his head turned unnaturally skyward a plunges toward Turquoise Waters. The scene is a painting on the Side of a sarcophagus. Its meaning is lost in Antiquity. Perhaps the diver the Tomb s occupant was looking toward heaven As he dived into the hereafter. The coffin with the diver is one of dozens of disassembled Stone cases exhibited at the museum in Paestum Italy. The museum located 60 Miles South of Naples Italy also houses thousands of other artefacts everything from Small shards of elaborately decorated pottery to statues that Are nearly life size. The museum is across a Road from an archaeological site filled with the remains of greek roman Homes Heaters forums. Quot think of what is yet to be uncovered Quot archaeologist Paul rough recently told a group of visitors to the ruins. Quot that s what i think is interesting about the  considering what has already been found that is a surprising statement. The site contains three greek temples dating from 600 . To 450 . The newest largest of the structures commonly known As the Temple of Neptune is one of the finest examples of greek doric architecture anywhere. Despite its name the Temple was dedicated to Hera the greek goddess of Fertility motherhood warlike protective qualities. The oldest of Paestum s temples called the Basilica is next door. The greeks also built it to worship Hera the Temple of Athena a smaller Structure built sometime Between the two other shrines is at the Northern end of the archaeological area. But there s much More to be found plough said. To prove his Point the International archaeological society member described photographs taken during a world War ii Aerial reconnaissance Mission Over a Farmer s Field near the temples. The photos showed slight depressions that formed a godlike pattern of streets plazas buildings rough explained to his fellow society members other Amateur archaeologists As he led them through the ruins. Up until those photos were taken the full extent of the 2,500-year-old greek settlement had remained a mystery. Greek colonists founded Paestum in the sixth Century . On a coastal Plain about 35 Miles South of what is now Salerno. They called their Community Poseidon a in Honor of Poseidon greek god of the sea. The Colony s ownership changed hands about 200 years later when the Luc anians from Southern Italy conquered the greeks reducing them to Virt Ual slavery. The romans took Over in 273 . And renamed the Community Paestum. It flourished As a commercial Center. Quot the Hills around Paestum figure importantly in its decline. They were covered with forests which were harvested from about 600 . To the time of Christ s birth Quot rough said. In an Early ecological disaster Runoff from the denuded Hills caused a nearby River to Silt up. This formed swamps which became Breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carried malaria. As a result Many Paestum residents died. As christianity spread to the area weeds Trees grew Over Paestum s temples to earlier gods. By the fifth Century a.d., Paestum had so diminished in importance that builders used columns from its temples to construct the Church of the annunciation located near the museum. Raids by Saracens nomadic syrian warriors about 300 years later drove away most of the residents. By the 12th Century most of Paestum s population had moved to the nearby Hillside Community of Capaccio Vecchia. They took a Little of their past with them however said rough s wife Alice who helped with the tour. At a Christian Church in Capaccio Vecchia a statue of a female Saint wears the cloths of the greek goddess Hera holds a pomegranate an ancient Fertility Symbol. In the ensuing centuries the ancient City was largely forgotten. In 1755, workers building a Road commissioned by King Charles Iii of Bourbon came across Paestum s Amphitheater. But very Little was done about the discovery. The workers continued building Charles Road on its original route bisecting the ancient Amphitheater they had uncovered. Paintings from that period show the Temple roofs protruding from the Trees vines that have overtaken the area. Quot Farmers knew it was Here All along Quot Alice rough said. Quot sometimes Nobles would take parts from the ruins for their Villas castles. Pompeii Herculaneum discovered at about the same time As Paestum received most of the archaeological attention. It was not until comparatively recently that the excavation of Paestum was begun Paul rough said. Like Many of the ruins the Hall of the Amphitheater across the Road from the archaeological site lies on private property. Quot this Amphitheater is unusual in that it s built within the City Quot Paul rough said. Most Ampi Heaters were located outside City limits because Community leaders did not want riotous hooligans pouring into the streets. The Paestum facility held about 20,000 spectators. This is relatively Small compared to Rome s colosseum which had a capacity of 50,000. Paul rough thinks there could be another Amphitheater in an a excavated area outside the City Walls. Quot that s the great thing about Paestum there s lots lots for our descendants to  tips to reach Paestum from Naples take Autostrada a j toward Salerno. Continue past Salerno about 15 Miles take the Battipaglia exit. Turn left on ss-1h follow the signs to Paestum. The archaeological site is open 0 . To 6  daily. The museum has the same hours but is closed mondays. The admission is about $6.40 for both places. There Are souvenir shops restaurants hotels in the area. July 11, 1991 stripes Magazine 13