Enormous tomb complex at Amphipolis being buried by mud, austerity measures

THE excavation of the enormous Amphipolis tomb in northern Greece opened a window to our ancient past. Now austerity budgets and wild weather are threatening to bury it again.

THE excavation of the enormous Amphipolis tomb complex in northern Greece opened a window to our ancient past. Now austerity budgets and wild weather are threatening to bury it again.

The burial mound dating back to 325BC — the era of Alexander the Great — has been flooded by heavy rains, shifting mud and creating large stagnant ponds — all of which threaten to make the already fragile site even more unstable.

Visitors have already been barred from the site due to the risk of damage and harm.

Ancient monument ... An artist’s impression of what the Amphipolis mausoleum complex may have looked like. Source: Supplied

MAUSOLEUM OF MYSTERIES

Ongoing studies of the burial chamber opened late last year reveal it may have been in ‘heavy use’ for a considerable time.

“The marble (doors) contain signs of heavy use, which means many visitors came and went,” geologist Evangelos Kambouroglou recently told media.

“The main tomb has been destroyed by looters, who left nothing,”

Human bones found inside a boxlike grave in an inner chamber raised speculation that the tomb may have belonged to one of Alexander’s generals, or perhaps even his mother.

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But analysis of the bones has since identified they belong to five different individuals.

The tomb of Alexander the Great himself is also lost: It is believed to be somewhere in or around the city of Alexandria which he founded on the shores of Egypt.

Alexander’s mother, widow and son were held captive by one of his generals and eventually murdered at the northern Greek city of Amphipolis.

Guardians ... The remains of two griffin statues above the main doors to the Amphipolis tomb. Source: Supplied

EMERGENCY ACTION NEEDED

A recent emergency conference between archaeologists and the Greek culture ministry discussed the need for a comprehensive site study to assess what drainage work needs to be done to protect the stability site.

Archaeologists have expressed fears that the water may have undermined much of the stonework, presenting a danger to its preservation even after the site dries out.

Local media reports the proposed study has already been rejected due to a lack of government funds.

Drainage and preservation work is therefore unable to proceed.

Extraordinary art ... A rich mosaic which adorns the floor of one of the rooms inside the Amphipolis tomb. Source: Supplied