A pwrinoys stone flooring, described as a sealant and floor underneath which is the excavation that is
opened onto the schist rock of the Hill Kasta. The depth is calculated over 1,5 measure and there is, as in the other booths funerary monument, backfill with silty sand.

In apochwmatwsi that has reached a height 140 centimeters below the floor have come to light in the excavation of a series of findings, at last the second marble leaf dimensions, 2 x 0,90 x 0,15 m. and weighing approximately 1,5 tuna! In particular the Earth have also been found, initially, the head of the right-hand Sphinx, the northern part of the marble threshold, fragments of wings, and part of the neck left of the Sphinx.
Where matching the above findings has provoked many questions, with some archaeologists, as Professor of classical archaeology and Director of University excavation in Vergína, Chrysoula Paliadeli, to speak of ' control ', to which at a later time than the construction of the monument were gathered and buried pieces of sculptures left behind by Tomb robbers, in an action of purification that aimed to restore their ierosylis Act.

Unanswered questions

Shortly before the end of the excavation and while always remains unanswered the big question about who was the "owner" of this impressive and unbelievable monument, the "Sunday" ethnos "newspaper" asked well-known personalities of the archaeological world to make a more comprehensive assessment of the excavation of Amphipolis.
Speculations about the identity of the deceased expressed until now is many, But what is noted by most is that this was certainly a notable person who lived and died at Amphipolis in the end of the 4th BC. century until the early 3rd BC. century. Yet that all the finds of funerary monument are characterized by eclecticism, consistent with the turbulent that time and shows the power, the power but also the financial soundness of the successors of Alexander the great, something imprinted and artistically.

STELLA DROYGOY
Professor Emeritus of Archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Don't make assumptions

MechriS here who arrived the excavation, We are facing a very important and impressive funerary monument. In addition it is very attractively all questions posed, from when and by whom was the sylisi by who can be the lodger or why was this monument. It's good to not make assumptions, not to push things, why in the investigation there is no need. All our show and demonstrate the tangible items. It takes patience and a lot of work and I want to point out that now needs the support of the State because the monument is very weak, so caring and financial support required to be attributed to the public, following an long course.

From the data so far have a very impressive decor that reflects many centuries. The third Chamber filled expectations from the cries of admiration that there were. The Macedonian tombs show us something different every time. We are happy with the sculpture and decoration in former wards. All the finds are characterised by eclecticism, consistent with the turbulent that time and captures the power, the power, but the financial soundness of the successors of Alexander the great-what is impressed and artistically. In this we must stand up now and not because it is empty the third Chamber. This will be answered by the research.
In Philip's Tomb in Vergina, the surprise is in the front and not in the burial chamber, who was very simple. Of course gave us the Golden casket, but the rest of the space was not something special. So we can not say that I had the third Chamber in the Tomb in Tomb Kasta had something more impressive, more remarkable than,What we had seen.

MICHALIS TIBERIOS
Kathigitis Emeritus of Classical Archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

In the soil of the third enclosure responses

In’ There is some data in the first Tomb not disputed Kasta. As that monument is burial and not sacred, that dates back to the last quarter of the 4th BC. century, that is sylimeno and that is impressive and unprecedented. The excavation is coming to an end and will gradually begin the study of the monument. But I make it clear once again that this is not a sanctuary in which believers came to leave votive offerings. It has the form of the sanctuary, No votive offerings, is arguably one funerary building, unprecedented, which also arguably fits the type of Macedonian Tomb. Further proof that this tomb is and the fact that it was covered with dirt and Hill, of course there was a hill, but added soil, and on top of the large hill was placed the lion.

The next step is cleaning and revealing in its entirety the third Chamber. The soil of the third enclosure may reveal some trails that will lead us to the sex of the resident or residents. There just might find something usable, I wish of course to find Larnaca, but any hint that there would be value for the body-snatchers and left behind them will be valuable for research. Have made many speculations about the identity of the dead, This is certainly a notable person who lived and died at Amphipolis in the end of the 4th BC. century until the early 3rd BC. century.
Common sense says that whoever was buried there is directly related to the area. It came from someone else. I've told’ repeating that the grandiose monument can be built for Alexander's wife Roxana and their son Alexander IV, or Admiral of Alexander Nearchos. But these are all assumptions, speculation, and as such I would be mistaken not to misunderstandings. Will not be very disappointed at all even if you do not find anything else, would frustrated expectations and have kept those scenarios on scripts without knowing. The monument is unprecedented, a remarkable and very important for the science of archaeology, will enrich our knowledge and will give rise to investigations of many years from now forth. I would also like to make a comment, the excavation should be scientific, When I see bulldozers I highly doubt…

KONSTANTINOS SOYEREF
Archaeologist, Head of the Inspectorate of Antiquities of Ioannina

I do not exclude other tombs found

On the occasion of this excavation we focused our attention to a very interesting site, the Amphipolis. A city due to its location had access to the gold mines of Paggaio and a safe haven, for’ This and claimed many Macedonians to prevail. It is no coincidence that this was the burial monument, as it is visible from a great distance. However it is a spectacular and grandiose funerary monument and refers to type of Macedonian Tomb, with the naoschimi facade and its location next to the road.
The three elements that the stand is undoubtedly the Sphinxes, the Caryatids, these daughters involved in funeral ceremonies with choes (Erechtheion), and the mosaic, a new find with figurative theme similar to what private homes in Pella. These three together with the characteristic marble doorway leading to the Macedonian Kingdom and although only assumptions we can make, I appreciate that the deceased has a relationship with the nobility of the era.
Likely to be buried there the Commandant Aristonoys, Commander of the Macedonian garrison of Amphipolis, or perhaps the son of Alexander the great, Alexander D '. It also doesn't rule out within the precincts to there are other graves, because the yard is too small for this site only. However, even if you do not find anything about the identity of the dead, the study of excavation will lead to strong chances. A question that needs answering is whether in addition the desecration was only for the enrichment of tymbwrychwn, If IE got gold, Silver, copper objects and only those. Certainly the desecration was in many different periods, because the monument was a separate.
The archaeological community would be happy if the cleaning of mortar reveal letters or some traces which show something more, even that it is a Cenotaph or had multiple burials. Where and when and if lead the study, It is a unique, impressive and grandiose funerary monument which we expect everyone anxiously to know when and by whom was used.

NIKOS MPELOGIANNIS
Chemical engineer, t. E pikefalis of the Center Stone of the Ministry

The vindication of schoolteacher Lazaridi

Amphipolis was perhaps the first "mission" that I took once I was hired the 1977 in the archaeological service. Super teacher Dimitris Lazaridis, even for non-archaeologists, constantly referring to the Tomb robbers of antiquity and in modern lathranaskafeis and looters, they had ravaged the entire Eastern Macedonia. Maybe that was one of the reasons that we had dealt mainly with the Organization of the city: wooden bridge, drainage system, fortification.
In June 1978 I had the opportunity to see the area a few weeks before and immediately after the great earthquake of Volvi, focusing almost equidistant between Thessalonica and Amphipolis. Then empedwsa that the geological upheavals (izimatogenesi, earthquakes) had played an important role in the history of the region. About a month ago I saw on the Internet a gravure of Amphipolis of 1831 that showed the Kasta hoisted Hill on the shore of Lake (more correctly, swamp) Kerkinitidas, with the Struma to fills. It was also impossible to accept the ad hoc padding of the tomb with sand. A search in the literature for the earthquake of 597 a.d. in Philippi, for whom was it changed the riverbed of the Struma, was the key to the assumption that since the Lake was found for centuries under water and filled with simple sedimentation process.

PANOS VALAVANIS
Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Athens

The architecture is phenomenal

After two and a half months the excavation remains the same the great monument, which extends our knowledge in relation to the Macedonian architecture of burial. Although this is another Macedonian Tomb in a hundred that we investigate, He displays architectural features which are unprecedented…
My feeling is that the work itself was under very tight conditions not helped perfect the process of research and study. The people who brought the work carried out is admirable. Whatever though there was, with such conditions, could not do a better job. We must not become so excavations and were not mathimenoi be made in such a way the excavations…
From now on you should see every detail on the monument. And especially in the third ward with full floor cleaning, with control of loose or vacuum chamber, so that there is certainty that the monument is finished. The chance to have a basement or maybe an underground Crypt for the dead is important. But because we saw that found there, within the intersection, a leaf, means that Tomb robbers have been researched and the likely basement space… You might think that if the underground site there were some massive marble objects, e.g.. a marble bench, a sarcophagus, they could easily get. Only what I could expect, If this underground area is made by the creators of the tomb and is not the result of tymbwrychwn attempt to check if there is something under the floor.

RENA PEPPA PAPAIOANNOU
Professor of the Department of history and Archaeology at the University of Athens

You are not allowed to make any predictions

This is a very important finding and expect everyone to learn how to finish this excavation. How you'll study objects that has given the excavation. What else could be said as to guessing things if they are not Digger; It puzzles me that question as I too am Digger. I know the method by which made excavations and surprised with the question. There is a technique of excavation which I've taught 13 years students. This technique tells us one thing: When you start an excavation must be sygkentrwtheis to a system whereby digging until the cum. And when they cum the excavation with all strwmatografika themes to gatherings and will study, I get mobile and fixed artifacts. After study will reach the conclusion as an archaeologist.
From a scientific standpoint I can't say something else. This is the scientific technique of excavation. We are not allowed scientists to predict. Is outside the scientific ethics. There is a specific method which I didn't see anywhere in the press. It is like he is in front of the microscope observation and no waiting to show something, but making assumptions. The audience hopes to see what further, but he's doing the excavation and has responsibility must be carried as scientist, not as the man who can announce several things, hopes, etc.. My Professor Nikolaos Kontoleon, who has died for many years, said: «Ο,What make the hoe. Beware of one thing, don't any say something for which you should therefore contradict later. You have to wait patiently until the end». So I don't want to predict, because the forecast is outside the scientific work.

ELENI MANAKIDOY
Associate Professor of Archaeology at the ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY of THESSALONIKI

The mosaic can enlighten us

O Tan cleanse the third Chamber, Anyway we will know much more and will resolve some of the questions that we currently employ. However, the combination of three elements is new to us for funerary monument. In’ all the Sphinxes, a purely funerary item, showed us from the beginning that it was Tomb, Secondly the Caryatids and thirdly the mosaic with figurative theme the abduction of Persephone by Pluto. The simultaneous existence of these elements brings out the monument as great and unique. If you don't find remains or other evidence that would lead us to the identity of the dead, This is indeed a problem that blights the archaeological community.
The architectural form and the individual structural elements leads to the conclusion that the tumulus Kasta was for some important person or persons, as neither number is known. About mosaic, I can talk more, I note that the creator was a person with talent and knowledge of a great artistic tradition. The abduction of Persephone gives eschatological content in monument, that further confirms that this tomb. It is an excellent show with figurative theme, similar to those found in houses of Pella and more specifically with this in "Helen's House», that has the theme of Helen's abduction by Theseus. It would be desirable to find out the artist of an exceptional mosaic in Kasta tumulus of Amphipolis, This may give us and other, valuable information for other issues. But this is the magic and charm of the excavation, that always surprises us and teaches us something new.
The Macedonian tombs in particular give many new elements and the excavation is an exciting experience for archaeologists. So I feel very lucky fellow in Amphipolis and coming daily confronted with a new surprise. However, I would like to make an observation on the course of excavation. I can understand the haste to get apochwmatwsi, but in trying to accelerate this pace used machinery that might destroy the monument and this should give a little more attention.

EDITING: CHRISTOS TELIDIS – MARIA RITZALEOY – ANTA DALIAKA – ANTIGONI KARALI

Σχετικά με τις απόψεις, heard and written in recent days about the course of the project the anaskafikoy tumulus Kasta of Amphipolis, the responsible excavator, k. K. Peristeri, Director of the Inspectorate of Antiquities Serron, expressing the whole excavation team, made the following statement:

"Some of the often occurring in the media, who consulted on the project, which fulfils our team, nor is archaeologists, Neither have been found in excavations similar to our own, However, neither, as far as we know, and in any other type of excavation. Is,at least, unscientific, through an Office to give someone view, so for a subject of an investigation which has never worked, and an archeological site which has never visited.

The excavation is performed with the best scientific way, in necessary time, obeying absolutely needs project and findings. THE,anything that is said to exercise any kind of pressure, It is chicanery. We work on the basis of archeological layers, they removed gradually and with particular attention the sandy soil. Film is used for removing, controlled throughout the course and then sifted. Where necessary, Depending on the texture of the soil, use shovel or scoop to remove the.
Special attention will be removed, in thickness 0, 20 m. the trailer soil, on the mosaic floor, which gradually revealed, When incisions, taking into account the tasks sidebar of retaining wall and stringing/wiring, carried out in parallel, so for the safety of the monument, and employees. Careful reading of dileptoy video,confirms these but sloppy commentators outperforms.
In point, where an experienced conservator uses "gouge", the mosaic floor is not cleaned up but removed, carefully, stones and iron mass, which was glued to the surface, so then to clean the floor.
The space who excavated the tomb's Interior has nothing to do with smoothing soil area, as mentioned , but with excavation layer.

Note that it is sad, for such an important excavations, the polyemfanizomenoi non-archaeologists in the media, and especially in electronic, being limited to wryly comment on the way we do business, without being able to articulate a good reason for all the effort and struggle of people, all specialties, working everyday, under difficult conditions, in the tomb ".

ALSO

Work will continue in parallel until the excavation. I made apochwmatwseis in artificial excavation and pwrolithwn but removals and measurements and ypostylwseis.

As all shows, the excavation work will be completed within the next ten o, but the study of the monument once it starts. Great attention will given from here and beyond the Ministry of culture in the surroundings, whom will explore in detail.
In the first phase, However, with non-excavation way, but making a "x-ray" to determine whether there are other tombs and to decide how to continue the investigation. And not only this. To study the best ways of intervention in the surroundings, as regards the emergence of the Tomb excavated now.

Exploring

The Ministry intends to cooperate with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in order to soon become the Hill Kasta geomagnetic or Geophysics. Method will decide after meeting with the participation of scientists and specialists.
The investigation thereby deemed necessary, in order to determine with precision what is there around the formation. If IE, Apart from the iron age cemetery that sits on top and was partly excavated by Dimitris Lazaridis, We have and Macedonian or other tombs, especially near the Tomb excavated now. Certainly should be considered to be part of this cemetery is akataskafo.

It is recalled that the Hill was basically natural Kasta in antiquity, demonstrated and the iron age cemetery. But that point had built the tomb which now excavate Jamie's team Peristeri was artificial backfill, in order to create the tumulus.

The Earth has lessened now, After you have removed tons of soil, but there is still enough backfill, which is likely to obscure monument or monuments.

Many archaeologists, the excavation team, have wondered if the great funerary precinct, It was built around the Hill, has other burials inside. Others consider it extremely likely, Judging by the large "somersaults" in Vergina, which cover two and three tombs – among them, the cluster of tombs of Philip, Alexander d and "Persephone".

Others hold some reservations, Noting that maybe the original intention was to make there and other burials, but for some reason were not. So, This may be the only burial.

In any case, the "x-ray" of the Hill at the moment is imperative in order to know the Ministry of what it has to face in the future. It is not necessary if it turns out that there are other points of interest to start the excavations immediately, but it is necessary to know, in order to plan properly and maintenance tasks of the Tomb has been excavated.

Then, If you need new excavations, Why should I take the Central Archaeological Council, which discusses requests for systematic excavations.
Geological prospecting has been done in the past in the region. But, as told in "" ethnos "newspaper" the Honorary Curator Coucoulis Chaidw – Chrysanthaki, There was no possibility for great Imaging accuracy. The diaskopisi that had she done had shown that something probably existed at the site of the current excavation, but gives no details about other points.

Angelic Kotti