The first comprehensive presentation of excavation in Amphipolis

Identifying coins with the face of Alexander, But coins of the 2nd century BC. and the 3rd century a.d.. is the newest items from the excavation on the ancient tomb of Amphipolis, as it became known during the papers, Saturday, ΑΜΦΙΘΈΑΤΡΟ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΆΜΕΣΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΊΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΎ.

At the beginning of the presentation, the Emeritus Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Athens, Vassilis Lambrinoudakis featured monument of Amphipolis brilliant piece in the history of Greece, While he stressed that the investigation starts now, After the excavation.

Then, the archaeologist, Director of the Museum of cycladic art, Nikos Stambolidis said features: "Nobody should Ever say never like it anyway" While stressed that "today's meeting is the beginning of the chain of scientific conclusions". Followed the speeches of the architect Michael Lefantzi entitled: "The lion's relationship with the Tomb of Amphipolis: Architectural and construction approaches "and civil engineering Dimitri Englishman titled: "Civil engineering's role in uncovering the Funerary Monument to the Tumulus Kasta: Presentation of interim task sterewtikwn and analysis for interpretation and control of historical Affairs».

"It remains the study and work from now on, to explain what he found the archaeological hoe " the head of the Inspectorate of Antiquities Serron, Katerina Peristeri, which underlined: "Let us be glad of the monument. Patience for answers», during the papers for the excavation work in the Tumulus Kasta in Amphipolis, today at the Auditorium of the Ministry of culture.

"We started the 2012 in this mystery Hill. It was a challenge. There was a rumor among residents of the region, that the Tumulus was Kasta "Queen's Tomb", were the first words of Mrs. Peristeri, which was mentioned at the beginning of the excavations by Lazaridi, in the yard of discovery 497 measures and the return of 500 tracks from Lithotopos.

Veil of mystery continues to cover the identity of the dead, as yet has not started the anthropological study. Possibly within the next few days to announce the scientific team who will undertake the study.

New data presented today is that while not found in the main Chamber at all funeral gifts, in other places came to light findings, as the 2nd century coins and vases, which pass through cleaning and maintenance procedures and will be presented. Also, There is enough material that I studied ceramics, According to a statement of Mrs. Peristeri.

"The skeleton was disturbed, We got the best measures. The moved with the soils to make the best design from the experts» the responsible of the excavation, which gave no more details, as for the findings (coins and vases).

After persistent questions from journalists about the skeleton found in the funerary monument of Amphipolis, the General Secretary of the Ministry of, Ms. Lina Mendoni, saying: "because I've been annoyed with the questions and answers», He said that the skull was found at a distance from the burial trench, While the mandible was off trench. Also, He added that found side, the legs and edges, about IE 80% skeleton. The basin was found dismembered by falling stones. End, He said that the skeleton remains in the Museum of Amphipolis, While searching for laboratory and composition of groups from osteologoys, anthropologists, but coroners.

"We are not talking about names» said Mrs Peristeri, Reiterating that given the position of the lion on the top of the Hill, possibly the Tomb belongs to a General. Sensation caused her answer that "nothing can be ruled out" When asked if the dead can be a member of the family of Alexander.

Then, de, from persistent questions journalists presented, for the first time, photo from the bone removal process, along with the soils, from the grave.

According to the General Secretary of the Ministry of culture, Lina Mendoni, the skeleton found fragments and in fullness almost 100%. It is characteristic that the skull was found outside the trench, while inside the excavation found the mandible. Also, have collected bones from hands, the legs and spine, While the basin that could indicate the gender of the deceased found dismembered.

The SG of the YPPA stressed that bones, which are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis, removed along with the soils to protect.

In Geophysics conducted by scientists of the University and which will determine the next steps of archaeologists in Tumulus Kasta, Ms. Peristeri said that accurate answers will exist in two to three months.

According to the evidence presented, the tomb was an open Memorial and the first worship spaces of possibility was to visit.

However, in antiquity the monument suffered disasters and syliseis. "Such a monument was not easy not to become a target tymbwrychwn» He said Mrs Peristeri.

As reported by the architect Michalis Lefantzis, the backfill and the walls were sfragistikoi during the Roman years. Especially for sealing walls, Mr. Lefantzis said he constructed from material that was removed from another part of the monument.

The strong presence of tymbwrychwn also just revealed he had found the skeleton, as inside the Tomb found funeral gifts, only some decorative elements from the coffin of the deceased.

Particularly important element which will employ scientists in the study of the monument is a finding of civil engineer Dimitri Englishman that artificial excavation, under the floor of the third Chamber, in which found the skeleton, preceded the dome construction. For the moment, though, It is not known the time difference between the trench and the construction of the monument.

Mr. Englishman, the who reported in detail on mounting work, stringing/wiring and retaining walls made the Memorial, He stressed that the main stress factor of the monument are the depositions of soils from previous excavations.

Appreciation for how destroyed the face of a Karyatidas did Ms. Peristeri, indicating that this space had sand backfill and a beam fell, with score to end up in the face of Karyatidas, destroying the.

At the beginning of her speech Mrs Peristeri mentioned in stages of archaeological research from the 2012 until the 2014. "We started to find out what happens in this Hill-mystery. Some argue that there was nothing. This was the trigger for us. Locals say that hid the tomb of Queen» said.

The 2012 started the demarcation of the mound and found antithima was the "Guide" for the continuation of the investigation. Thereafter, According to Ms. Peristeri, found marble funerary precinct members, While once this year, in the last 30-40 measures of the enclosure, found the entrance of the monument.

The destruction of the enclosure 2013. As revealed by the survey data, the removal of architectural members, used for other purposes, as the construction of dams, was during the Roman period.

"Now begins the difficult task, the study will give us the conclusions " He stressed the head of the excavation.

For the dating of the monument, Ms. Peristeri reiterated both the mosaic, and the remaining findings show the last quarter of the 4th century. e.g..

Especially for the mosaic with the abduction of Persephone, Ms. Peristeri said that they have found several pixels and this period becomes the weld. "We are on track, in order to put the pieces in place» reported.

Commenting on an earlier statement that is buried in Amphipolis, Macedonian General, Ms. Peristeri reported: "With a Lion at the top and such a huge monument could be General, I'd say when you asked me earlier. When found the skeleton, could never an archaeologist to tell if they are male or female. Speaking on the same monument. I said that when there's a lion on top could be General. No answer at conspiracy theories that there is buried the Alexander». In question about whether there is a likelihood of the dead to be someone from the Royal family of the Temenids Ms. Peristeri said features: "we are not discussing names".

The head of the excavations indicated that in the archaiokapileia orgiaze of Amphipolis, While initially the yard in front of the stairs was open and after shut down, "so the tomb was once open», said Ms. Peristeri.

The architect M ichalis Lefantzis said that a thousand plus members from the base of the lion and the precinct identified the 1916 scattered. Among the eleven pieces of sculpture of the lion in dams, they stayed there after failed attempt Britons to carry in their country. Also, He said that it is possible to rebuild part of the enclosure and the base of the sculpture, While referenced and in traces and by an ancient crane, they removed pieces of the enclosure.

«What to do prwtoprolaboyme; Now finished the excavation. We want our time to do it correctly the following actions. We finished the excavation in tumulus Kasta, but there are many things that we do around the precinct» Mrs Peristeri, Stressing that he hopes next year to continue elsewhere. "Earth observation is made will show whether there are other graves at Amphipolis» He said.