The Greek Ministry of Culture has released another press statement on ongoing works at the enormous Kasta Tumulus near Amphipolis in Macedonia (Northern Greece). Excavation of the entrance passageway in ongoing, as is consolidation of the structures as they come to light. It now seems clear that behind the outer entrance wall (the one with the sphinxes), there are two more. The middle one, the top of which were already revealed last week, is flanked by two large caryatids! According to Heinrich, who will be one of the two experts leading our tour of the region next year (bit.ly/1mq43yJ), this is quite an unusual feature in Greece, parallels elsewhere suggesting that the tomb might be later than the late 4th century BC date suggested so far. The part of the passage behind the caryatids appears to have a false ceiling underneath the vault, made of limestone slabs with painted decoration imitating a coffered ceiling. Altogether, the monument is certainly highly remarkable, currently raising more questions than it answers - it is a fascinating addition to the archaeology of the region, irrespective of its exact date and of whether or not it was looted in antiquity (as is suggested by evident damage to its sculptures).
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 04:55:12 +0000
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