Podcast Summary

Podcast: Todo Concostrina

Episode: Acontece que no es poco | El hallazgo de Asclepio, la estrella mediática de Ampurias
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with co-host/anchor)
Date: October 25, 2023
Theme:
Exploring the fascinating discovery of the Asclepio statue at Ampurias—its historical context, the “Asclepiomanía” that followed, and its enduring cultural impact as the only original Greek statue found so far in the Iberian Peninsula.

Overview

This episode centers on the serendipitous and momentous 1909 discovery of a classical statue—identified as Asclepio or Esculapio—in the archeological site of Ampurias, Girona. With her hallmark wit and clarity, Nieves Concostrina unpacks not just the circumstances of the find, but how it became a mass phenomenon, ignited a craze for Greek culture, and even influences pharmacy logos today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Discovery That Changed Everything (02:31–04:52)

• Nieves kicks off by framing the event as “algo aparentemente poca cosa” (something seemingly minor), the finding of a broken statue piece in Ampurias on October 25, 1909 (02:31).
• The statue’s significance is immense, as it becomes recognized as "la única escultura griega original hallada en la península" (the only original Greek sculpture found on the peninsula).
• If conservation had failed, “el amigo Asclepio estaría viendo pasar turistas desde su pedestal del Louvre en París o desde el Británico de Londres” (Asclepio could have ended up in the Louvre or British Museum) [03:58].

Quote [Nieves, 02:31]:

“Es un asunto muy importante. Aunque empiezo diciendo que el acontecido de hoy, a lo mejor así puede parecer un poco chorra.”

2. Historical Context: Art Trafficking, Excavations & Enlightened Decisions (04:58–07:31)

• At the turn of the 20th century, excavating ancient artifacts in Spain was often left to amateurs who prioritized profit over science, fueling the trade in antiquities abroad [05:15].
• Museum boards in Barcelona contemplated buying artifacts on the market, risking fakes, until architect Josep Puig advocates for buying land and doing their own excavations: “Compremos los terrenos, excavemos nosotros las piezas que encontremos…” (let’s buy the land, excavate ourselves…) [06:32].
• This pivotal decision saved the Ampurias site and led to the discovery.

Quote [Nieves, 06:18]:

“Eso de excavar en lugares donde se suponía que había restos antiguos lo hacían sobre todo los aficionados, pero la mayoría no lo hacían por interés científico, sino para vender las cosas a coleccionistas.”

3. Finding Asclepio: The Statue’s Puzzle (07:31–08:19)

• Piece by piece, the statue is unearthed: first the bust with “pelazo, barba, rizados, pecho al aire”—then the lower half, then even a serpent fragment [07:53].
• The posture suggests a staff; the serpent hints at the divine identity—Asclepio/Esculapio, god of medicine.

4. Greco-Roman Identity: Who Is He, Really? (09:10–10:22)

• The confusion between Asclepio (Greek) and Esculapio (Roman) is expounded, with Nieves quipping about Roman “copy-paste” habits: “Los romanos son unos coplotas. Les copiaron casi todos los dioses a los griegos…" (The Romans are copiers, they took almost all the Greek gods...) [09:19].
• Ultimately, “la de Ampurias es la única escultura griega original” (the only original Greek sculpture in Iberia), though it's often called "el Esculapio de Ampurias."

Quote [Nieves, 09:19]:

“¿Qué han hecho los romanos por nosotros? Copiar a los griegos.”

5. Asclepiomanía: The Public Craze (10:26–10:55)

• The statue’s fame explodes: research institutes, medical academies, and wealthy individuals all demand copies. “Fue la Asclepiomanía,” remarks Nieves.
• The period was a zenith for Greek chic: the Olympics had just been revived (1896), and Greek independence struggles had captured the European imagination.

Quote [Nieves, 10:26]:

“Aquello fue la Asclepiomanía. Fue más que un simple descubrimiento arqueológico. Se desató una fiebre por el arte clásico.”

6. Mythology’s Enduring Influence: From Serpents to Pharmacies (12:35–14:02)

• The serpent, always depicted with Asclepio, symbolizes rejuvenation and the duality of healing/poison.
• Asclepio’s daughter, Hygia (Higía), goddess of health, prepared remedies; together, their symbols inform the modern pharmacy icon: a serpent and a cup [13:45].
• Nieves connects this to language: “De ahí viene la palabra higiene” (that’s where we get the word hygiene).

Quote [Nieves, 12:35]:

“Las farmacias tienen como símbolo una serpiente enroscada en una copa. Así que, otra vez, ¿qué han hecho los griegos por nosotros? Diseñarnos el logo de las farmacias.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Importance of Conservation
  “Si la conservamos es porque las cosas se hicieron muy bien, si no, el amigo Asclepio estaría viendo pasar turistas desde su pedestal del Louvre…”
  – Nieves, [03:58]

• On Greek and Roman gods
  “¿Qué han hecho los romanos por nosotros? Copiar a los griegos.”
  – Nieves, [09:19]

• On the Symbolism of the Serpent and Modern Medicine
  “Diseñarnos el logo de las farmacias.”
  – Nieves, [13:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:31] Discovery of Asclepio: context and impact
• [04:58] Archaelogical context and enlightened excavation
• [07:31] The unearthing: bust, body, serpent
• [09:10] Greek vs Roman identity—Asclepio or Esculapio?
• [10:26] Public enthusiasm: Asclepiomanía
• [12:35] From ancient myth to modern pharmacy symbols
• [13:45] Origin of “hygiene” and legacy of Greek culture

Tone & Style

Nieves maintains her typical blend of historical insight, irony, and humor. She freely lampoons both ancient and modern customs, turns myth into vivid storytelling, and finds connections between the distant past and our everyday lives.

Conclusion

This lively episode investigates how a “trozo de estatua romana o griega” became a media star, archaeological prize, and cultural icon. Nieves Concostrina not only narrates the adventure of discovery but contextualizes it within broader trends of heritage conservation, national pride, and the continuous relevance of ancient symbols—right down to the logos of today’s pharmacies.