PRESS RELEASE 19/01/2015

Study On Residue Burial Monument Skeletal, Hill Kasta, Amphipolis

As has been mentioned in the press release of 19 December 2014, the completion of the study of makroskopikis bone material from the Tomb on the Hill Kasta, which has undertaken multi-disciplinary group of universities, Aristotle and Democritus, would be completed during January 2015. The Ministry had committed, an oral update, as proven in the related publications, that the communication of the results of the study would have a deadline of 20 January 2015. CONTINUE THE READING

PRESS RELEASE 22/12/14

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The geophysics and geological mapping of the Hill Kasta in Amphipolis started 11the November 2014 and were conducted in a piecemeal nature, due to adverse weather conditions.

The research team are the Chief Professor Gregory Tsokas, Director of the laboratory of applied Geophysics AUTH, Professor Panayiotis Tsoyrlos, the if. Professor George Bargemezis, graduate students and other scientific staff of the laboratory. Participate, also: The izimatologos if. Professor George Syridis, the palaioseismologos Professor. Spiros Pavlidis and the geologist Dr. of the Ministry. Evangelos Kambouroglou.

The investigation focused on the model of the era, before the intervention for the erection of the dome. For this purpose, geological and tectonic observations were made and number of scans. Recent apochwmatwseis and earlier gave space observation pit concrete and undeniable evidence of the position and characteristics of the geological formations.

In this phase it was investigated the subsoil in the area around the dome, i.e. the slope of North, like the mounds formed by the preceding excavation, in the East and West of. The diaskopisi of the premises was carried out by applying the method of electrical resonance and at very small scale method of subsurface radar (known as Ground Penetrating Radar GPR –) because of methodological limitations, at specific geological and archaeological circumstances.

The investigation confirmed that the Hill has mixed structure with the bulk of it being natural, While the anthropogenic Earth constitutes a relatively small portion. The dome seems that edrastike and erected within trench, which was reopened in geological formations of preexisting Hill slope, that ends a few metres north of the dome.

The Geophysics gave illustrations of the Interior of the Hill, where matching antistatic structures, which investigated further. In one case North of the dome, the removal of soils revealed that the ypedafia structure that was pictured with electrical scans were sand lens, i.e. natural formation. This case is shown in the attached figure. The horizontal display for altitude than the 93m., warm colours indicate areas with high resistivity and cold colors respectively the areas with low.

Scans who gave this picture were held in soil surface, before the removal of soil and which was higher than the level of 93m. The points, where further investigation should be made, marked as "points of interest". The white line in horizontal than depiction noted and on the ground. (Photo 1) It is obvious that the anomaly of resonance due to the sandy geological formation. It should be noted that the defects with high resistance values, which appear in the northern part of the horizontal incision is not evaluated, because they are within the natural formations.

In this photo it seems that the ancient excavation ends a short distance north of the dome, the northernmost section of which is indicated by the plastic cover which is distinguished.

Some other points, which have been identified in need of excavation investigating. The investigation continues, When the weather conditions permit.

NOTICE OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

As they progress maintenance on seven marble sections of "epistyles"-they belong to the third and most sophisticated space funerary monument, the Hill Kasta- revealed, gradually, performances. Specifies that the position of the marble members, which are part of these, bear black and white decoration. CONTINUE THE READING

Official announcement (04-11-14)

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: CONTINUE THE READING

Official announcement (28-10-14)

Questions to the Secretary General. Ministry of Culture and Sport Mr. L. Mendoni

Question: The tomb is syllimenos;

Reply: The tomb has clearly accepted human intervention, so here we are. Since the beginning of the renovation we said-and we often repeat- that we have very strong evidence of grave robbers action. CONTINUE THE READING

Official announcement (21-10-14)

The excavation work is continuing on the CAY Ephorate of prehistoric and classical Antiquities, in the Tumulus Kasta, Amphipolis. Saturday (18/10) and Monday (20/10) the excavation proceeded across the surface inside the fourth space (4,5Ch6m.) and in depth until 5,20 m. from the top of the dome.

Today, held a trial balance (2Ch2m.), at the entrance of the fourth space, and at a depth of 0, 45 m. In front of the entrance, in this area, revealed two parts, from the Western leaf, and synanikoyn (foto 1,2). The first has dimensions 0, 89Ch1, 49Ch0, 15 and the second 0, 89Ch1, 30Ch0, 15.

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Also, It was revealed in the northern part of the marble threshold, which has a total length of 2, 15 m. width 1 m. and thickness 0, 25 m. (foto 3) Bring curved bathynseis, for nesting of metal Rails that facilitate the movement of marble thyrofyllwn. As shown by the specific intersection, Here there was floored by limestone, that brought white coating. Audi detected threshold, When you place, travertines of flooring. On the East side of the intersection the floor seems to have suffered subsidence, While westwards the flooring is damaged and the fallen stones inside the intersection (foto 4).

In depth 0, 15 m. from the threshold surface identified and uncovered marble Sphinx head. (foto 5,6,7,8) Is an integer with minimal breakage in the nose. Has a height of 0,60 m. The head is identified and attributed to the Eastern trunk Sphinx, where was nested. Directed towards the entrance and bring Polo. In the lower part of the neck is preserved intact the cross-sectional area of the bearing to the point of nesting in the trunk of. Has rolling bostrychoys, bearing traces of red color, who fall on the left shoulder of, While restrained by thin film. This is excellent art sculpture. Found, also, fragments from the wings of Sphinxes.

The next day is scheduled the removal of fallen pwrolithwn from the inside of the third area, as well as the parts of the door which described. At The Same Time, ypostylwseis will be strengthened in order to continue excavations in the rest area of the third space.

Official announcement (12-10-14)

Advancing the excavations on the Hill Kasta Amphipolis, by CAY II Ephorate of prehistoric and classical Antiquities.

Continuing the gradual removal of part of the backfill, from the second site, behind the caryatids and up to the surface of the floor, at a depth of 6 m. from the dome. When removing the backfill revealed the biggest part of a mosaic pavement, covering the entire surface of space i.e., 4,5m. width on 3 m. length. (foto 1).

The mosaic is made of small pebbles, White, Black, gkrizwpoy, Blue, Red and yellow color. The Central cartouche surrounding expression, a width of 0, 60 m, which is synthesized by double meander, squares and current coil (foto 2). The show's background is in shades of grey-blue.

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The central image depicts chariot in motion, drawn by two white horses, (foto 3), which leads bearded man, with laurel wreath on the head (foto 4). In front of the chariot represent the god Hermes as psychopompos, who modified petaso, mantle, winged sandals and holds the Caduceus (foto 5). The composition has direction from East to West.

The show is known for its excellent art in detail the characteristics of performance, both forms of, and horses, as for the harmony of colors. The composition is contemporary funerary complex and dates from the last quarter of the 4th century BC. The mosaic has been damaged in the Center, in circle shape, diameter of 0, 80 m. However, many parts from the worn part found in Sandy backfill. The next days I will attempt to remedy the welding and, in order to synthesize, to the extent possible, the overview of the show.

The mosaic floor, East and West, It has been revealed in its entirety, as the excavation is still going on in these departments. To the South of mosaic floor and between the pedestals of backyard pwrino Karyatidwn revealed, covered with white mortar. In the North of the flooring revealed the marble door threshold, that leads to the third space, decorated with Ionic ripple, at the bottom of, (foto 6,7).

Also, matching, just underneath the doorframe, towards the Interior of the third space, two further sections of the marble door panels.

Official announcement (30-9-14)

Continued from the CAY’ Ephorate of prehistoric and classical Antiquities, the archaeological research in the funerary complex of hillside Kasta Amphipolis. Removed the last two saves only its lower stones of the wall sealing, in front of the second septal wall, (foto 1) revealing in total marble pedestals (foto 2), on which pull the Caryatids.

The decoration of the radical is a continuation of orthomarmarwsis of walls. It consists of marble surfaces with peritainia. The pedestal height is 1, 40 m., have a width of 1, 36 m. and thickness 0, 72m. The total height pedestal and statue is 3, 67 m.(foto 3). The second-floor space is elevated at 0, 07 pm. Color blue footprints are found in front of above the surface, (foto 4).

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Continued, also, the excavation work, in the area behind the caryatids, with removal of soil at a depth of up to 1, 5 m. revealing the continuity of orthomarmarwsis of walls, as in previous space, and much of the thyrwmatos, that leads to the third space.

Completed, even, retaining jobs by adding columns to the first space and simultaneously placed horizontal Struts to the second, in order to proceed with the apochwmatwsi. At The Same Time, with the continuation of apochwmatwsis, in the doorway of the third septal wall, work began stringing/wiring in the third space.

Official announcement (21-9-14)

By removing three rows of marble stones of the wall sealing, in front of the second septal wall, uncovered the whole Caryatids, which have a height of 2, 48 m. Wear robe tunic and long ciliated himation with rich folds. (Foto 1, 2). Bear kothornoys, who is decorated with red and yellow, While the fingertip of their feet have been attributed with fine detail. (Foto 3, 4).

Stand on marble pedestals, 1 33 pm length. and width of 0, 68 m. ", which have been revealed, for the moment, at a height of approximately 0, 30 m. (Foto 5). The appearance of radical is formed with stepseis and uprights. Follow IE, the type of marble lined walls all cubicles. The distance between the two platforms is 1, 68 m. ", and the opening of the first thyraion septal wall with the Sphinxes. (Foto 6, draft). On the surface of the podium of the Eastern Karyatidos, distinguished red color. Also, When removing the sand backfill in the vicinity of Karyatidon found parts of their hands.

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In third place was held by sampling drilling, with manual drilling rig, in default locations. (Foto 7). So, marble doorframe detected, opening 0,96 m. , on the North wall of the. (Foto 8).

In the same place made measurements on air content, inside and showed that the content of elements oxygen and carbon monoxide is at normal levels. Increased is only relative humidity (87%), While the temperature ranges from 21,5 – 22,70C.

The above conditions of the microclimate of the third space does not create any problem for workers inside the.

Technical work

Access to the third place of the monument for retaining placement- stringing/wiring, and the continuation of the excavation process prepares systematically with parallel actions , that are in process.

  1. It was decided by the multi-disciplinary group entry to third place, not done by the hole in the upper western part of the third septal wall, but by ancient entry. (Foto 9). Therefore, before any other work I removed the Earth from the second site, I removed the fallen section of yperthyroy and ypostylwthei the doorway between the second and third space, with wood elements. (Foto 10).

  2. Will reinforce the bracing in second place, in a lower level of, in order to undertake additional external triggers land, After the removal of the epichwsis.

  3. Prepares work flooring, with the removal of soil from the second site, so it is possible to enter long-retaining metal components and stringing/wiring of the third space. Also I removed additional stones from the wall sealing, in front of the caryatids, for the placement of soil removal conveyor belt and carrying stones for industrial crane, the third space. (Foto 11).

  4. Soil removal, over 1 m., from the first space (almost as the flooring) and retaining and expanding the stringing/wiring, also because of the level of internal change backfill.

  5. Katabibasmoy of backfilling operations, casings and directly over the monument, will take place after the first phase of the temporary retaining walls-stringing/wiring of the third space, before IE, to begin the removal of backfill.

  6. The study is in progress of retaining measures and stringing/wiring of the third space, in order to determine the quantities and the placement of elements retaining posts-stringing/wiring, and mounting phases, in connection with the excavation work.

  7. For the treatment of stormwater runoff, from the area of the monument, designed duct placement, along the large annulus, outside the precinct.

  8. Performed geotechnical investigation in the area of the monument for the ascertainment of the recommendation and the Geotechnical properties of existing gewϋlikwn. The investigation will be done with a sufficient number of boreholes and laboratory tests.