EXPLORATION OF STOBI
Culture.
The Museum of Macedonia published the booklet Forum Romanum Stobis", by authors Mila Surbanoska and Antonio Jakimovski, which presents the results of the project "Archaeological and Tourist Vaporization of Roman Town of Stobi". The exploration of the largest and richest antique locality in Macedonia was conducted in the period 2003-2006 in cooperation with the Foundation CISS Palermo.
The Museum of Macedonia has launched the project four years ago. In 2005 CISS joined the project as main financier. Excavations in Stobi resulted in rather valuable discoveries: early-Roman city center and the Roman Forum with impressive 5.5 meter-high arches that make it a unique structure discovered so far in Macedonia.
Stobi was an ancient town of Paionia, later conquered by Macedon, and later still incorporated into the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris (now in the Republic of Macedonia). It is located on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in the Republic of Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon river (Crna) joins the Axios river (Vardar), making it important strategically as a center for both trade and warfare.
Stobi for Macedonia is like Babylon for Iraq, Mycenae for Greece, Knossos for Crete, Memphis for Egypt..., said Pasko Kuzman, Director of the Cultural Heritage Protection Office.
He however pointed out that this unique locality was not getting sufficient attention, despite the possibilities it has been offering for developing tourism and scientific researches.
The locality has been neglected, without appropriate infrastructure, Kuzman said, pointing out that in the near future, with the Government's support, it will become and independent institution.
The exploration project has come to an end, but the cooperation between the Museum Macedonia and CISS Palermo will resume in 2008, namely exhibits on Stobi will be opened in Palermo and Bari. The future activities also include launching of a website and reconstruction of Stobi Museum.
[Mia]
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