Ancient Greek tomb at Amphipolis may be intact, says chief archaeologist

HOPES are rising that a massive Ancient Greek tomb has remained untouched after the huge stones sealing its entrance were found to be intact.

HOPES are rising that a massive Ancient Greek tomb has remained untouched after the huge stones sealing its entrance were found to be intact.

Excavations have been conducted around the entrance to the 300BC tomb at Amphipolis in central Macedonia, constructed in the era of the conqueror Alexander the Great.

At 590m wide, it is the largest burial of its kind ever discovered in Greece.

Indications are the tomb’s ancient defences may have held.

Outer wall ... A partial view of the site where archaeologists are excavating an ancient mound in Amphipolis, northern Greece. Source: AP

“It’s difficult for such a grave to have been plundered,” lead archaeologist Katerina Peristeri told local politicians yesterday, stating that the find was “unique” and of “global significance”.

However, the archaeologist was cautious about when — and if — they will be able to enter the tomb.

“We are like surgeons. We proceed very slowly. The excavation will show us what lies inside.”

Excavations will now continue until the tomb is entered to ensure critical material for the accurate dating of the complex is secured before it deteriorates or is stolen.

Block by block ... In this handout photo released by the Greek Culture Ministry, workers remove one of the large stone blocks from a wall originally sealing the entrance to an ancient tomb under excavation at Amphipolis in northern Greece. Source: AP

“There is no other such tomb in Greece, or the Balkans,” she said. “We are struggling to do a correct job, and some time is necessary, maybe another month. Today we’re removing stone blocks and digging. We’re not many, but we’re good.”

Since work began in 2012, archaeologists have exposed 3m high perimeter wall pierced by a 2.5m wide road which connects to 13 steps at the tomb’s entrance. The wall was built of imported marble.

Guardians of the gate .... Two large stone sphinxes are seen under a barrel-vault topping the entrance to an ancient tomb under excavation at Amphipolis. Source: AP

Missing link ... This lion may have once sat atop the tomb. Source: AFP

Two 1.5m tall carved sphinxes — with their heads missing — guard the ancient doorway which is sealed by several massive stone blocks. Each sphinx weighs about 1.5 tons and would likely have been about 2m high and painted red when complete.

“Pieces of the sphinx’s wings were found at the site, allowing for a full restoration,” the Greek Ministry of Culture said.

Analysis at the site has shown a local landmark — a 5m tall ancient lion statue now standing on a pedestal some 5km from the tomb — once sat at the peak of the monumental structure. A missing fragment of this statue has also been uncovered.

The Greek Culture Ministry says the sphinxes and the lion appear to have come from the same workshop.

Nearby stones, including an ornate lintel, carry traces of red, black and blue paint. Behind the sphinxes was a foyer with a black-and-white mosaic floor. What lies beyond remains unknown.

Welcome mat ... A decorative capital covered with the remains of painted plaster is seen at the entrance to the Amphipolis tomb. Source: AP

Ground-sensing geophysical teams have identified there are three main rooms within the huge circular structure.

But entering the tomb is no easy task.

An unstable nearby stone wall, built in the centuries after the tomb was first formed, will be removed to ensure the safety of excavators.

Excavations underway ... A view of the site where archaeologists have unearthed a funeral mound dating from the time of Alexander the Great, in Amphipolis, Northern Greece. Source: AFP

The tomb was demolished by the occupying Roman army and some of its stones used to stabilise a nearby river bank. This has made the structure itself unstable.

Diggers are preparing for the worst: It is possible much of the roof has already collapsed, filling the rooms with dirt and rubble.

If this is in fact the case, excavations will have to proceed very slowly and carefully to locate and preserve fragmented grave offerings.

Only once the diggers have entered the tomb will they know for sure if it has not been plundered.

Lion’s paw ... A front paw of a large stone sphinx is seen topping the entrance to an ancient tomb under excavation at Amphipolis in northern Greece. Source: AP

The Greek Culture Ministry says the monument is not likely to belong to Alexander the Great himself. Instead, archaeologists believe it contains an important Macedonian official.

However, some argue it may indeed have been for Alexander the Great.

“If Alexander was on his way to being buried in Macedonia when Ptolemy pinched his body … to me that suggests that there was a tomb that had been or was being prepared for him in Macedonia,” archaeologist Dorothy King wrote in a blog.