John Sheldon's photos with the keyword: Ruins

The white buildings of the 'old town' rise up behind the ruins of the salt factory, the Factoria de Salazones. This dates from the 4th century BC. For a few hundred years, mainly during the Roman occupation, the main industry here was to salt fish for export to places around the Mediterranean Sea. They also made a paté called Garum, which consisted of fish, oil, salt and spices, which was very popular for sailors. It was considered to prevent scurvy.

Almuñécar, on the Spanish coast. The white buildings of the 'old town' viewed from inside the remains of the even older fortress. The area was used as a look-out point by Phoenician settlers who arrived about 1500 BC. The fortress building was started by the Romans after 49 BC and continued to be used and developed by the Moors until 1489 AD. The Moors called the town Hizn Al-Munekhab, which is believed to mean “Fortress on the hill”, and which then became “al-Munekkab”.

Spinalonga is a small island just off the coast of northern Crete. The island was occupied by a community of leprosy sufferers from 1903 to 1957, and was one of the last active 'leper colonies' in Europe. A hospital was built, and once on the island the leprosy sufferers received food, water, medical attention and social security payments. Previously, such amenities had been unavailable to them, as they had mostly lived in the area's caves, away from the towns and villages. The community's buildings are now mostly in a state of ruin, notable exceptions being two church buildings, St George and St Pantalion, and a Venetian fortress. The fortress dates from the Venetian occupation of the island, from c1550 to 1715.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers - and of course tourists.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

A marble altar in the ruins of Delos is reflecting the sunlight. This is fitting as Delos is the mythical birthplace of the Greek sun god Apollo (and his sister goddess Artemis). My attribution of this particular altar as dedicated to Apollo is speculative. Why let fact get in the way of a good story?

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

These statues are exact replicas of the originals. The originals can be seen nearby in the Delos Archaeological Museum. The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island has been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

In the town of Naxos on the island of Naxos. A Naxian cat.

The original temple was built about 530BC. It has been partially restored, to the extent allowed by the Greek authorities.

The original temple was built about 530BC. It has been partially restored, to the extent allowed by the Greek authorities.

Scarborough, North Yorkshire.