Archive by category "Al - posts" (Page 47)

Alexander – A New Theory on an Ancient Legend

Alexander the Great

Like millions of others I have been enthralled by the mystery of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. So when I read that in the 9^th century a certain Caliph Al Ma’mun had literally smashed his way into it, well my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to investigate. I found that the renowned caliph was not alone, apart from the labourers required to dig out the tunnels he had also taken a huge team of highly educated scholars, but why? Surely a man only interested in hidden treasure would not have required such a level of expertise. Goodness! Just imagine the expense he had to go to in employing these experts and at a time when he was busy defending the borders of his caliphate.

The tunnel made by Caliph Al Ma’mun in the Great Pyramid

The tunnel made by Caliph Al Ma’mun in the Great Pyramid (Wikipedia)

The Great Pyramid had been sealed for thousands of years so how did the caliph know there was something of great value inside? The only way he could have known was if he had read an ancient manuscript that recorded such an item being placed in the pyramid. This is quite likely since his father had built the ‘House of Wisdom’ in Baghdad which was famous across the known world for the collection and study of ancient manuscripts. Such was Al Mamun’s interest in the wisdom and secrets of the past that he was known to trade manuscripts with his arch enemy the Byzantine Emperor Theophilos. But the Byzantine emperor had access to even rarer manuscripts, some say actually taken from the library of Alexandria. He also employed the fabulously intelligent scholar known as ‘Leo the Mathematician’, quite literally one of the cleverest men in the world. Here was a man the caliph was desperate to get hold of because Leo could read and translate Coptic and ancient Greek.

Caliph al-Mamun sends an envoy to Byzantine Emperor Theophilos

Caliph al-Mamun sends an envoy to Byzantine Emperor Theophilos (Wikimedia)

So, what Al Mamun and his team discovered in the Great Pyramid was truly amazing and completely planned for! Ancient legends by a number of Arab historians, such as the 9^th century Arabic writer Ebn Abd Alhokim, tell us that amongst other treasures, the caliph discovered a stone statue and that inside was a man who wore a gold breastplate covered in gems. Lying by his side was a fabulously fine sword and shield. On the head of the man lay a huge ruby the size of a chicken egg which shone as the light of day! The statue in which the body was buried was covered in a mysterious writing that no one at that time could decipher. By the way, some have said that the Great Pyramid’s outer casing stone, now missing, was also covered in Greek or Coptic writing.

Egyptians were not usually buried in their armour so who was this great warrior? In the quest to uncover who this may have been, I explored many legends, documents, and medieval paintings. For me there was only one candidate because history said that Alexander the Great was buried in Egypt with his armour on. The only problem was that Alexander was said to have been buried in Memphis or Alexandria. However, reports also suggest he was moved and I believe that he has been buried at least three times.

A 19th century depiction of Alexander’s funeral procession based on a description by Diodorus

A 19th century depiction of Alexander’s funeral procession based on a description by Diodorus (macroevolution.net)

Unfortunately, ancient texts written by people who knew Alexander, or who gathered information from men who served with Alexander, had all been lost. However, there were a few original fragments and inscriptions left. One example of original text is The Parian Marble found at Paros. Amongst other information, it records red letter dates in the life of Alexander, including his burial at Memphis in 321/320 B.C.

The middle section of the Parian Marble

The middle section of the Parian Marble, now at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Original accounts written by his contemporaries namely Ptolemy, Aristobulus, Nearchus, and Onesicritus have been lost but luckily for us, there are substantial later works based on the ancient writings that have survived. They include Diodorus Siculus, writing in the first century B.C., Quintus Curtius Rufus, mid-to-late 1st century A.D., Arrian 1st to 2nd century A.D., the biographer Plutarch 1st to 2nd century A.D., and Justin, dated to around the 4th century A.D.

In addition, there is the infamous ‘Alexander Romance’ allegedly compiled from a number of stories written by Callisthenes. To confuse the issue further, it is currently accepted that there are a number of authors to this work and the author Callisthenes is referred to as Pseudo-Callisthenes! It was during the first few centuries after Alexander’s death, when a quantity of the legendary material was gathered into this body of work. The text underwent, or so it is claimed, numerous expansions and revisions throughout antiquity and the middle ages. Some say that it contains dubious stories, however because of its popularity and that of its hero Alexander, the manuscript has been translated into many languages. These days, historians do not take this work seriously, but because it was taken seriously in the past, I did take it into account in my research.

17th-century version of the ‘Alexander Romance’

17^th-century version of the ‘Alexander Romance’ (Wikipedia)

The most reliable ancient source on Alexander is considered to be Arrian. He took his stories from Ptolemy and Aristobulus and wrote ‘Anabasis Alexandri,’ Campaigns of Alexander, (The Greek term ‘anabasis’ referred to an expedition from a coastline into the interior of a country) and is probably the most important contribution to the knowledge of Alexander the Great that we can draw on. Ptolemy I had been a close friend of Alexander’s since childhood and had gone on to become a leading general. After Alexander’s death he became Pharaoh of Egypt. Some have criticized him for exaggerating Alexander’s attributes both on the battlefield and in his private life. He supposedly upped his eulogy of Alexander and his own close relationship with him in order to secure his place in Egyptian history and that of the ensuing Ptolemy Pharaohs.

Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I Soter attacking

Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I Soter attacking. Miniature 13 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14th century (Wikimedia)

The idea that the ancient corpse supposedly found in the Great Pyramid by Caliph Al Ma’mun may have been Alexander the Great is intriguing.

Firstly, if what I have written did actually happen, (the reader must decide having seen the evidence), then Alexander’s final resting place could also be divulged. We would know not only where he was buried now but roughly what year and who buried him in his final resting place. In other words we should be able to trace his whereabouts today because it should lead on directly from the discovery of Al Ma’mun. Indeed, that is the culmination of the story in my book Alexander, A New Theory on an Ancient Legend’, although I did not set out to find it!

Secondly, I have investigated the whereabouts of that huge ruby that Al Ma’mun found lying on the head, (since ancient times a sign of royalty) and I believe the ruby still exists today.

The Astonishment of Saint Sisoes

‘The Astonishment of Saint Sisoes’ shows the saint kneeling before the remains of Alexander the Great (orthodoxwiki)

By embracing the spirit, as well as the law of the letter, admiring the beautiful art as well as studying the context of the written word, I have tried to bring the past and its people into perspective, and I suppose, metaphorically back to life.

Two thousand years may have passed, but our understanding of Alexander’s passion for the glories of both life and death can still fire our imagination and inspire the soul. It can also inspire those of us interested in ancient origins to search out the truth no matter where it is hidden!

Further evidence regarding who may have placed Alexander in the Great Pyramid, the year they put him there, and most importantly, why they put him there, is available in Lucy Caxton’s book, ‘Alexander, A New Theory on an Ancient Legend’ or visit her website at www.lucycaxtonbrown.co.uk.

Featured image: Relief depicting Alexander the Great. Source: BigStockPhoto

By Lucy Caxton Brown

– See more at: http://www.ancient-origins.net

VIDEO-“Kalwdiwnoyn” the Amphipolis to learn the secrets of

Without a visible end seems to be the third Chamber of the funerary monument of Amphipolis. The excavation continues with great care and under adverse conditions, role of cold and intense humidity prevailing in the last compartment of the Tomb.

It should be noted that although excavators have reached in depth 8 measures, counting from the roof, There is no indication as to how exactly is the height of the space.

See the NERIT videos

http://www.enikos.gr

By Agamemnon to Mega Alexander

Greek masterpieces in the u.s.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on 12 December in Point a Calliere Museum, Montreal History and Archaeology Complex in Montreal

Thessaloniki

"Tour" in the United States start Homer, Agamemnon, Achilles, Herodotus, Leonidas, Pericles, Sophocles, Plato, Demosthenes, Philip, Alexander the great-ones that led to the creation of the historical and cultural background for the development of Western societies.

This is the report «The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great» ("Greeks: by Agamemnon to Grand Alexander»), that includes 543 exhibits-masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture, painting and kosmimatotechnias, derived from all the museums and Antiquities of Greece committees.

The exhibition is organized by the Greek Ministry of culture and the Consortium of Museums with official North American representative of the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. As pointed out in the presentation of the report, It is the most representative "Panorama" of Greek culture who has never traveled outside the Greek borders.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on 12 December in Point a Calliere Museum, Montreal History and Archaeology Complex in Montreal, they will remain until the 26 April 2015, to be transferred and presented then in History Museum of Canada in Ottawa, from the 5 June 2015 until 12 October 2015.

Will follow the Field Museum in Chicago (24 November 2015 until 10 April 2016) and the National Geographic Museum in Washington (26 May 2016 until 9 October 2016).

The structure of the report

The central theme of the report, It is divided into ten thematic sections, are Greeks, as forms through the excavation data.

The report starts from the anonymous illustrious dead, continues with a central reference point the mythological Agamemnon and anakta famous aristocrats of the early iron age and closes with eminent personalities of the spirit, like Plato and Aristotle and historical figures, like Philip and Alexander the great.

The chronological framework covers from the stone age to the Hellenistic period, i.e. from the 6.000 e.g.. until the 2nd century. e.g..

Rare exhibits

"The report represents a far-reaching, ambitious organisation, aimed at presentation of the top personalities of Greek history and mythology, nodal role played in the formation of the historical components of culture "identified by the Director General of Antiquities of the Greek Ministry of culture Helen Korkas, representing in the presentation of the report the Minister of culture, Constantine Tasoula.

"Our goal is to revitalize the activities of the great archaeological historical forms of Greece, starting from the beginning of prehistory, with personalities that emerge from the beginning of the legend, as Agamemnon, and finally in decisive for world civilization historical form of Alexander the great "added.

"It's the greatest Greek exhibition ever presented in North America," said Canada's Ambassador in Athens Robert Peck, Noting that "many of the archaeological finds do not have ever been exhibited abroad».

The r. Peck expressed the belief that in a long time that it will take the report, It will attract many people who will want to discover where born democracy, the philosophy, Theatre and the arts. Mentioned, Indeed, and the benefits that can arise from exposure to tourism, Recalling that the next summer the Greece and Canada will be linked to 16 weekly flight schedules.

The Coordinator of the report, Honorary Director-General of Antiquities Maria Vlazaki, He pointed out that the Greek culture is an amalgam of ideas, Customs, knowledge and beliefs that are beginning to emerge in the Eastern Mediterranean since prehistoric times and the tour of the exhibition will contribute to make known the Greek culture and the achievements of the Greeks, during the entire chronologikoy framework covering the report.

Report on the Aboriginal peoples of Canada

Notified, Moreover, that as ' Holy bread ' of the report the Canadian History Museum in Ottawa, with the collaboration of the Canadian Embassy in Greece, will offer, in order to bring in a Greek Museum, one very interesting temporary exhibition, where is the Canadian Aboriginal art.

Those who visit the exhibition, the biennium that will run the tour in b. America, you will learn everything about the Greeks, identified by the Director of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Polyxeni Veleni. "The feature of the report is that it is more personified, because of funerary ensembles, many times people branded "said, explaining that "thematic reports have been too many, but the whole panorama of Greek culture through Greek personalities is a report done for the first time».

Excellent featured the report Mayor Thessalonique Yiannis Boutaris, Whereas essentially constitutes an invitation to u.s. citizens to come to Greece.

Special application

In support of the report created the special application for mobile, which will be available to iPhone and Android users, at 12 December 2014, the opening day of the exhibition.

source: tovima.gr

British archaeologists in the footsteps of the legendary Trojan horse

Two British archaeologists from the Boston University, Chris Wilson and Christine Morris argue that discovered pieces of the mythical The Trojan Horse, stating that the findings of archaeologists give them ' high probability ' rates are actually parts of the Homeric wooden horse that built the Greeks to be able to invade Troy.

The wooden horse – crypt, construction inspired by Ulysses, It was designed to mislead the Trojans and take as a gift and as a token of peace and goodwill from the achaeans. In fact it was a building that was hiding within the major ancient Greek heroes.

Those, After entering the horse in Troy, came out from him and opened the gates to the other, in order to start the sack of the town.

The excavations by the archaeological team from the University of Boston executed on the Hill of Chisarlik in Turkey, the historic site of Troy, recently brought to light a great construction lengths of almost 15 measures, from Woods which originally belonged to ships, but then used to create a prototype built unparalleled hadn't met again archaeologists. Near the wooden structure was found and a worn inscription on bronze in which indicated "The Greeks dedicate to Athena for their return home».

The findings, that laboratory analyses place chronologically on the 12th and 11th centuries BC, have transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul.

Source: parapolitika.gr

Lions and the Pride of Amphipolis

I will start by pointing out that English is a complicated language, one of whose quirks is the use of strange collective nouns, for example: a murder of crows, or a pride of lions. Once again I am using this as the sort of pun Aristophanes appreciated, in the sense that Greeks should be proud of both the monument formerly known as The Lion Tomb, and the work of the team there. CONTINUE THE READING

Excavation Of Amphipolis: The second gate in the Northwest did solve the mystery;

The excavation continued today without results

Written by Theodore If. Spanelis

With a steady pace and resumed the excavation in artificial excavation of the third Chamber and up to one and a half measure that has reached the archaeological hoe, has not yet identified any findings. The unique material that has been identified is the strymoniki sand, which increases even more the mystery of what serving this construction, While the absence of any trace of burial, reduces the hopes that this can be a crypt where was placed the urn of a deceased. However remain possible to it is the entrance of a tunnel that leads to the inner apartments, which would hinder the work of Tymbwrychwn or for any impasse sump which sole purpose, you might have, to mislead the would-be grasping...

But does all this monument that has all the features of the Tomb, constructed next to the funeral chamber, but is isolated, in order to serve the memorials and the pilgrimage of the famous dead, but without reaches the burial place of; And this is so you can find the dead for whom build this monument and is the access point;

The second gate

The best responses will give it a few days ago the result of geophysical research, enough of course to expect first learn what Greek University will conduct. Issue that probably will be closed until the end of the week. At the moment you need to settle in so far known data originating from the study which conducted the University of Patras, the 1998, which study though prepared fifteen years back, gave significant results. One of these is the possibility that there is a second gate, which estimated – according to the newest survey data – that is located in the Northwest. For those who have visited the Tomb, is the spot right behind the gate of the construction site, There is also the post of entry.

On this subject Prof.. Lazarus Polymenakos said in a related report in the PROTO THEMA, at 5 October, the following very revealing words:

"The publication of the 2004 had already marked the most important geophysical "anomalies" and their relationship with possible anthropogenic structures inside of the Hill. However, the accumulated experience in the application of seismic tomography (but modern technology) provides the ability to see the image "with other eye». Beyond possible graves, to see items that have to do with the structure and stability of the Hill, elements critical for very difficult internal approach of excavation. Composing anew the old items, and the already existing entries, Configure a new comprehensive interpretation. In a more simplified form, formed the adjacent three-dimensional image of the inside of the estimated Hill (Picture 1), score of painful efforts and critical synthetic thinking.

The picture is very-very interesting. Reveals the configuration of the terrain from the manufacturers of the monument, in order that the Office may accept the structures that have been designed to place there and to "protect". Form (not very deep) dugouts which at some points will accommodate burial or other structures, and then will be "streets" to access to and from these. These roads are chosen to access the Interior from the South, the other from the Northwest. The reason for these guidelines should be important both from the perspective of symbolism, as well as the functionality and manufacturing excellence.

The structures inside are completed and then covered by a terrace with dimensions and volume of similar magnitude occupy the structures at the base of the Hill. But of course to create a monument that will symbolize the importance of content. And, of course, the whole band is "stable profile" and resistant to internal and external forces and aggravating factors in the passage of time ".

In a nutshell the k. Two roads access detects Polymenakos to buried beneath tons of sand, funerary monument. One is he who excavated and the second is in the Northwest where we identified.

How likely is the second entrance gate; Resorting to aerial photos from the video published by the ENA CHANNEL a good observer will see that while the perimeter of the Hill and along the marble enclosure, has been dug the Hill and from the inner side something similar doesn't happen on the northwest side of Mound, where it stops abruptly. It is very likely already have found some stone edge construction, as indeed happened on the South side, There they found the gate with Sphinx.

On aerial photographs shown very clearly that it has stopped the digging around the Mound and part of the northwestern side is left untouched, pending the continuation of the excavation from the side. Would not surprise us at all if confirmed this assessment and identified a portal, which you might as well not have any decoration or some other distinctive – deliberately so as not to draw attention – and is ultimately the main entrance that will lead to the solution of the mystery and the answers we all dipsame to learn.

Kasta Tomb copy

Kasta Tomb 2 copy

Source: xronometro.com

The terminology of the archaeologist of Amphipolis!

The excavation of the tomb of Amphipolis brought to our many "new vocabulary" words, unknown until today, from the terminology used by archaeologists.

Mars Mentizi

Journalist – historical researcher

On the occasion of the excavation in the Tumulus of Amphipolis a series of words unknown until today, words archaeological, came in everyday life. The hear, read and many times we use it. Archaeology like any other science has its own terminology. Going for some words, you were loved, as loved lately and the history of the place, as a result many dozens of dusty historical books to "descend" from the shelves and read.

We can say that it is a "small archaeological dictionary", used in connection with the excavation in Amphipolis. Words that for many still remain unknown, even though included in every press release issued for the excavation.

In order to understand what we read, We host, in alphabetical order, some key words that we have come across many times so far in the notices of the excavation.

Bracing: It is mounting a vertical wall which is in danger of collapse. It should be noted that the principle of retaining walls is the so-called ' triangulation ', i.e. adding a diagonal support, as the hypotenuse in a right angle that forms the wall to the ground.

Upper Structure: This is the upper part of an architectural element.

Impairment of cross-section: An expression that we saw in press releases of the Ministry of culture as the characterisation of the situation of the roof of the third Chamber, where observed that briquettes are trickier.

Pigtails: Are curls. The met in the headdress of Karyatidon.

Cornice: Is the famous eaves. That is the part of the roof of a building which overhangs and protects embossed representations or other items below this.

Geodetic methods: These are the methods to determine the exact geographical location using conventional measurements and GPS system.

Geostatic triggers: Are the pressures on a building by the constant shifts of ground.

Black and white decoration: It is the colored painting decorating. More often than not used in depictions of human forms but in shapes and other compositions.

Phrenic Wall: It is the intermediary wall with some kind of opening. In the case of Amphipolis, as phrenic refers and the gate with Sphinxes.

Domos: Is a series of stones, by which consist of a wall.

Boxing: It is essentially the square column constraint and other items, whose recession risk based because based on flimsy ground.

Balancing pressures: The meaning of this phrase in the excavation involves the careful removal of soil from both sides of the walls, so the pressures exerted on the walls of the soil's weight balanced and not in danger of collapse.

Pilaster-Capital: Is the upper part of the stanchion. In the case of Amphipolis, at the entrance of the monument we have decorated capitals with additional terrain that resembles a capital.

Culmination: It is the artifact on top construction or manufacturing

Architrave: Oblong piece of marble that rests on the upper end poles and bridges the gap between them.

Backfill: Is the accumulation of new layers of soil up on older.

Backrest: place the seat where supports the back of he who sits

Eswrrachio: This is the inner curve of the ceiling on the maximum amount of.

Lentigines: the flattened sections covering the nail heads or construction that mimics for decorative purposes.

Crush load: This is the weight that is applied vertically and threatens the joists with snap.

Voussoirs: Is properly shaped stones that make up a curved roof.

Dome: Is the roof of the "lodge", with wooden lattice cross-section.

Doorframe: This is essentially the total input – a door construction.

Scaffold: It is known to all scaffold.

Ilywdis sand: Very fine sand found in riverbeds

Katachwsi: It is the cover of monuments and other items with soil.

Kothornos: Type of shoe with thick soles that was then tied in front with laces and fit in both feet

Daughter: It is basically another name of Karyatidas, Emphasizing the newness and purity.

Molybdochoisi: It is to support two marble parts with intermediate link from pencil, which poured in liquefied form in appropriately shaped holes, as those who are on the shoulders of Karyatidon, in the neck and on the wings of Sphinxes, etc..

Splint: In the case of Amphipolis, the splint basically includes wooden beams with frothy investment limit shifts of tholitwn the roof of monuments.

Ntisilidiko: This is the sculpture tool, as the chisel with which formed the impressive and elaborate details of statues, as the veins.

Fresco fresco: Is the relief decoration and painting technique formed while the mortar is fresh.

Uprights: This is the nested marble lined with marble slabs placed on the outer side wall vertically.

Excavation: part of the soil dug deep

Pilasters: Are the pillars on either side of the doors.

Doorframe: It is very simple for the frame of the door – entrance.

Pessary: It is basically rectangular column. In the case of Amphipolis was used many times the expression ' inherent with pillars "for the caryatids, that means that the statues and pillars are a single body.

Pole: It is a kind of head cover, something like Hat. The pole of Karyatidon in Amphipolis of Amphipolis distinguished under the architrave.

Folds: Is the ripple of cornea in statues.

Tuffstone: This is limestone rock with discontinuous surface, full of small holes.

Rosette: Is the decorative rose to capture a floorplan.

Trench Straggistiki: Is the circumferential Groove for the water runoff of rain.

Movie: It is oblong decorative, color expression.

Masonic symbols: symbols of artificial – manufacturers of the era

Sealing wall: This is a relatively rough stone construction, unrelated to the architecture of the monument, with the sole purpose of shielding from the potential intrusions.

Tumulus: It is essentially Tomb, over whom they have added large quantities of soil.

Coffered: Is the indentation created between cross-beams.

Cheiridwtos: Is the makrymanikos, and used for tunics of Karyatidon in Amphipolis.

Source: xronometro.com

«Gods, Myths, Heroes ' the new campaign of the Ministry of Tourism (VIDEO)

«Gods, Myths, Heroes ' the new campaign of the Ministry of Tourism (VIDEO)
*

The Gods, Myths and heroes of Greece are the key elements on which the production of new communication campaign for tourism, presented by the Tourism Minister Madam Olga Kefalogianni in the context of the international fair of tourism World Travel Market on Monday in London, presence of crowd tourist operators and visitors.

Every Greek destination is birth place of an ancient God, each party in Greece hides a myth, a magical story, the energy that is even today live, the Minister said during the presentation of the video.

In her speech at the World Travel Market Olga Kefalogianni, stressed that Greece is a particularly powerful, Global recognized brand name, Noting the timelessness and the klassikotita of Greek tourism and pointed out the themes that are developed in order to cater to the interests of the modern and selective visitor. "The communication strategy, We keep all the basic features that we have established as a global tourist destination and today we choose to highlight additional components and features that has our region», Mrs Kefalogianni. And he added that "any place in our country, hide a legend, a magical story, the action of which is live until today», highlighted.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ab-yQYnOOs&w=560&h = 315]

Source: parapolitika.gr

The Brilliance of Katerina Peristeri

The Brilliance of Katerina Peristeri
************
Marina Schiza asked me to write a short critique about Amphipolis for Phileleftheros, and I did so yesterday. I am not sure when the piece will appear, but it was very easy for me to be critical of the many jealous colleagues whose envy of Dr Peristeri's discovery is eating away at them. I will not repeat what I wrote there, but elaborate on the good work at Amphipolis instead.

Envy is a universal quality to many people suffer from, and over the years I have been repeatedly shocked by how badly some archaeologists behave, in Britain, Denmark, America and almost every country, not just in Greece. I should note that those tend to be the mediocre scholars, envious of those who have skill and talent, mediocrities who try to diminished the work of good archaeologists because they cannot reach such heights themselves.

I do not know Dr Peristeri very well, but her work is of an extremely high caliber. I have known her dig's architect for many years, and he is also one of the most talented people working for the archaeological service (someone from one of the most prestigious American universities asked me last year if I thought he could be lured away from Greece, that is how good his work is). I am not sure which technicians are currently on the dig at Amphipolis, but I was blown away by the amazing work the restorers and technicians working on the slopes of the Acropolis were doing, and their current standard of work is far superior to anything I have seen in Italy, Turkey, Egypt any many other countries. The Chinese have been making remarkable progress in terms of new techniques for preserving archaeological discoveries, for example lacquer found in water-logged tombs, and Greece in my opinion is currently second only to them.

That is why I found it shocking that Dr Peristeri had to defend her work: Ministry of culture and sport – Απάντηση της κ. Κατερίνας Περιστέρη

I generally have avoided reading coverage other than the press releases, because I did not feel the need to read foolish opinions claiming the tomb was Roman, and ridiculous attacks on the techniques used, attacks founded in fantasy not reality as here: Σάλος για την Αμφίπολη-Νακάσης: Δεν έγινε σωστά η ανασκαφή, υπάρχουν κι άλλοι τάφοι

To make it very clear, the team at Amphipolis were not leaking information to me, because they did not need to. They are great archaeologists, and all good archaeologists work in more or less the same way, so it is very easy for me to “read” what they doing and sometimes even thinking of doing next based purely on the photographs and information they release.

The partially excavated mosaic? Yes I think Hades was shown with the features of Philip II, but there was a female arm showing in the first set of photographs, so it was almost certain that the female figure to the right when unearthed would be Persephone.

Do I wish they'd have a little more time to proceed a little more slowly, most of all so that they could have days of rest? Yes. But were they working badly? Not.

The soil fill was obviously all of one date, so the small finds within it would have been plotted and recorded, but there was no need for slow excavation … it was all one ' strata’ or layer of fill, so slowly sweeping away the soil with a brush would have been a ridiculous thing to do. Also tightly packed soil in a closed chamber is impossible to fully sift through inside the tomb, so the soil was bagged up and taken away to be examined by other members of the team in an environment where they would not only have the space to do so, but also the equipment they needed.

Where different techniques were needed, they used them. For example under the blocks in the last room, based on this photograph the various ' strata’ or layers are extremely clear. I have marked alternate strata with red arrows, and the yellowish layer which I assume is the clay with a green arrow:

The stratigraphy is so clear it can be read in photographs, and there are very few other excavations where this is the case. And this photo was only intended to be a general view of where the door was found, not a photograph of the stratigraphic evidence!

To me one of the great joys of Amphipolis is how much interest it has renewed in Greek history and archaeology, with people reading academic articles that would normally only reach a small audience, and discussing them as they form new ideas.

We all have the right to an opinion. I have mine. I disagreed with Olga Palagia’s, but she has the right to express hers, and ideas one disagrees with can push us into better formulating and explaining one’s own. Athanasios Nakasis had the right to his opinions as well. The problem is that he clearly demonstrated that the failure to understand modern archaeological techniques was his, and not made by the team at Amphipolis. In English we call that a Pyrrhic Victory.

I love archaeology and part of my nature is that I love sharing it by trying to explain it to people, and encouraging them to think for themselves about it. But it worries me that several Greek archaeologists, who are teaching Greek students and excavating Greek archaeological sites, seem to be demonstrating so little understanding of the field.

Katerina Peristeri is leading a team doing exemplary work on one of the most important discoveries in archaeology. No amount of ridiculous claims can diminish her, her find or its place in history.

Source: diva

AMPHIPOLIS – GEOGRAPHY – HISTORY – CHRONOLOGY

Amphipolis was an important city of Macedonia (After the Capital EGAS), was the maritime base. From there it departed the fleet of Alexander the great to Asia.

It was founded as an Athenian colony in the year 430 a.C.y then conquered and annexed to Macedonia in the year 358 BC. by Philip II.

After the death of Alexander the main historical events happened in this region of Macedonia , in the North of Greece. CONTINUE THE READING

Category: Al - posts