Quick: how do you destroy a centuries old artifact using a couple of things from around the house?

Answer? You strap on stilettos and smack your gum.

According to the New York Times, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is being worn away by women in six inch heels and guests that chew gum - and leave it at the ancient amphitheater.

"This monument is very tired, " says Alexander Mandis, the chief archaeologist overseeing the Odeon. "Poking it with six inch heels and scrubing the marble to remove dried gum makes it ache more." During a recent renovation, over 60 pounds of gum was pried off seats and aisles.

More than half of the Odeon's 250,000 annual visitors are women and since stiletto heels are strengthened by a metal rod, their heels and metal tips transmit more pressure per square inch than a 6,000-pound elephant, architects and archaeologists say.

In spite of a ban on smoking, painting, chewing gum or nailing elaborate props in the theater -- sixteen restrictions in all - Greece's glitterati continue to turn up at benefit concerts draped with sparkling jewels, flowing silk gowns and stilettos clicking against the Odeon's fragile floors.

This reminds me about a story I heard about WWII. During the war, the ammunition arriving at an army base continued to show up pocked and damaged. Allies were sure that someone was sabotaging the effort and spent much time investigating. What they discovered was surprising - the bullets were being "ambushed" by the factory workers who failed to wash their hands after eating peanuts on their breaks. The salt from their hands was transferred to the bullets during manufacturing and the salt created pock marks during the shipment from US to Allies base, rendering the bullets unuseable.

Some profound meaning exists here - something like small efforts create great results or something like that. For me, I think the significance is understanding why my feet hurt so bad when I wear heels. More pressure on my pinky toe than a 6,000 pound elephant? Who knew?

(Source: Sunday, July 8 New York Times, Vol CLVI, page 9).