Human skeleton found at Amphipolis tomb
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E-mail Xinhua, November 13, 2014
A human skeleton was discovered at the Amphipolis tomb in northern Greece during the ongoing archaeological excavation, Greece's Culture Ministry announced on Wednesday.
According to a press release, the human remains were found in the third chamber of the impressive Alexander the Great era tomb (4th century BC) which has gradually come to life since August this year at Kasta Hill.
However, it will take more time and analysis of the finds for experts to identify the buried person, according to the archaeologists in charge of the dig.
During a press briefing at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Amphipolis, about 570 km north of Athens, Culture Ministry officials said the skeleton was found inside a limestone grave at about 1.5 metres beneath the tomb's floor.
The analysis of the remains is considered one of the most significant findings so far, since it is expected to reveal valuable information, such as the buried person's height, sex, age and may help archaeologists make a safe guess about their identity.
The discovery since summer this year of two magnificent sculptures of females, two sculptured sphinxes and a mosaic depicting, according to archaeologists, the abduction of Persephone, a daughter of God Zeus in ancient Greek mythology, has strengthened scenarios that the tomb's occupant was a very important figure.
According to scenarios, it could be Alexander the Great's mother, wife or son, or one of his generals who was buried at the spectacular massive tomb.
During Wednesday's press briefing, experts said the monument seemed to have been built for a person who was seen as a hero. Whoever the tomb's occupant was, was a very prominent figure at the time.
Archaeologists at Kasta Hill are using technology to uncover the tomb's secrets. They have teamed up with the applied geophysics laboratory of the National University of Thessaloniki to conduct several monitoring and sampling controls of sediments inside and outside the tomb to analyze the bedrock.
The lab is performing an electrical x-ray on Kasta Hill to depict the subsoil in a 3-D representation.
Professor Grigoris Tsokas, head of the lab, said they would be able to release the findings seven to ten days after they collected the data.
Culture Minister Costas Tassoulas is scheduled to give a press conference at Amphipolis on Nov. 22, according to Wednesday's press release, and Katerina Peristeri, the head of the archaeological dig, is expected to follow with a presentation of the finds a week later in Athens.
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