Amphipolis tomb reveals third chamber, with a glimpse of colour within

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered a third chamber of a mysterious, massive tomb in northern Greece - and had a glimpse of what it contains.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered a third chamber of a mysterious, massive tomb in northern Greece, and had a glimpse of what it contains.

Workers have spent the past few weeks removing the soil which filled the 2300-year-old entrance chamber guarded by two female statues clad in semi-transpired robes — called Caryatids.

CLICK HERE: Interactive floor plan of the excavation so far

As the soil was removed behind the guardians, an Ionic-style marble lintel was gradually exposed. This marks the entrance to the third chamber.

What lies beneath ... Reports suggest a colourful decoration has been glimpsed behind this Ionic-style doorway guarding the Amphipolis tomb’s third chamber.

A fallen stone in the entrance reportedly appears to provide a view of a painted sculpture or decoration within. Hopes are high this will contain clues as to the identity of the tomb’s occupant.

The excavation, on a hillock near ancient Amphipolis, 600 kilometres north of Athens, has dominated local news coverage for a month, since Prime Minister Antonis Samaras visited it and pre-empted archaeologists by releasing details on the findings.

The journey so far ... A reconstruction of the entrance of the Amphipolis tomb.

Greek archaeologists say the attention is placing an unfair burden on the excavation team.

The diggers, however, are continuing to shore-up the ancient structure to ensure the safety to protect workers before they enter the new chamber.

The risk of cave-in is high, so timber beams and retaining walls are being erected as archaeologists advance further into the structure.

Lina Mendoni, General Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, has told media that the monument has elements indicating that its owner had a “cosmopolitan” outlook.

A detailed diagram of excavation work so far has been released by Greek authorities.

It shows a representation of the dig, with photographs highlighting each element uncovered so far.

Eternal vigilance ... A close-up of the face of one of the two Caryatids.

ENIGMATIC CARYATIDS

The full-body sculptures of two females guarding the third chamber appear to have been adorned with extended arms as either a warning to those who entered or blocking the entrance itself.

“The robes bear exceptional art folds”, stated Ministry’s notice. “The Caryatids, from the outside are slighting lifting their robe with their corresponding hand,” a Greek heritage ministry statement read.

You shall not pass ... The outstretched arms of the Caryatids once barred entry to the chamber beyond.

The statues reportedly represent the pinnacle of artistic value for their era.

One caryatid was found with her face intact. The face of the second, however, has been found in the sand at the base of the statue. Efforts are underway to conserve the stonework.

Strong presence ... Timber beams shore-up the roof between the two female statues guarding the entrance to the third chamber.

HUGE TASK AHEAD

Less than half the tomb, which bears signs of having been plundered in antiquity, has been explored, and removing the tons of earth that fill it will take weeks. Although no burials have been found so far, the opulence points to some senior official linked with Ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great.

The barrel-vaulted tomb is among the biggest of its period in antiquities-rich Greece. Excavator Katerina Peristeri believes the mound was originally topped by a stone lion on a large plinth, found a few kilometres away 100 years ago, that was probably removed during Roman times. She has also voiced strong hopes that the site hasn’t been looted.

Entrance ... One of the guardian Sphynx statues at the entrance to the tomb, right, and the chamber behind it, left.

Archaeologist Chryssoula Paliadelli, who is not involved in the excavation, told The Associated Press that the tomb has several exceptional features, including a monumental facade that leaves the top of the vault exposed above two large marble sphinxes.

The site, set among almond groves and tobacco fields, has about 20 police providing a 24-hour guard to deter looters, who have plagued the area in the past.

Former antiquities guard Alekos Kochliaridis told the AP that robbers tried to excavate the mound in 1952, brazenly turning up in broad daylight with a mechanical digger.

“We local residents called the police and they chased them off,” he said. “The whole surrounding area has plenty of holes left by illegal excavations.”

Translucent quality ... The exquisite stonework displayed in the torso of one of the Caryatids.

SPECULATION MOUNTS

Speculation is rife that the tomb may contain buried treasure and the remains of an eminent figure — although Alexander himself was buried in Egypt.

Alexander conquered a vast area from modern Greece to India, enriching many of his close friends and commanders. His death in 323 B.C. was followed by upheaval as his generals fought over the empire.

Professor of History and Archaeology in the University of Cyprus Theodoros Mavraganis has said he believes the tomb belongs to Hephaestion, one of Alexander the Great childhood friends. He also accompanied him Alexander as a general on his ten-year campaign in Asia.

Another theory attributes the tomb to one of Alexander’s admirals, Nearchos. He was exiled to Amphipolis by King Philip II.

Athird scenario is that Alexander’s Persian wife, Roxana, and his son, Alexander IV, are buried there. They also had been banished to Amphipolis in around 310 B.C.

Revealing ... An earlier image shows the soil being removed from the entrance chamber containing the two female statues.

FEVER—PITCH INTEREST

Dozens of tourists daily try to get a peek of the fenced-off site, and visitor numbers at the nearby Amphipolis museum have swelled.

Paliadelli, a professor at the University of Thessaloniki, said the media attention is greater than during the discovery in the late 1970s, in which she participated, of a rich unplundered tomb identified as that of Alexander’s father, King Philip II of Macedonia in a royal cemetery 200 kilometres (125 miles) to the west.

“The media — television, the internet — has developed so much,” she said. “We worked at a much calmer pace, despite the pressure from the nature of the finds — that included wood and leather artefacts that required urgent conservation.”

The Association of Greek Archaeologists on Thursday criticised the Culture Ministry’s approach to the media, which it said was tailored to “satisfying a public opinion hooked on facile sensationalism and over-consumption of television, print and online sub-products.”