BOLD sphinxes. Enticing nymphs. A menacing
rape-scene mosaic. While these finds have amazed, they’re yet to inform. But
the evidence is mounting, and we may soon know who lies beneath the mysterious
Amphipolis mound.
It
may be Greece’s greatest ancient monument: A 2300-year-old, 590m diameter
burial mound containing a mysterious mix of structures.
Excavations
since August have exposed a myriad of artistic wonders.
Delicately
crafted, scantily clad female-formed columns. Piercing eyed, female-headed
sphinxes.
Most
prominent is a masterful mosaic depicting a supernatural rape scene.
But
it is a scattering of bones and a few faded paintings which now have
archaeologists excited. These may contain the final clue as to the identity of
the tomb’s occupant — a person who may have direct ties to the legendary
Alexander the Great.
It
is the idea that the mound is linked in some way to Greece’s greatest hero —
Alexander the Great — which has the nation on the edge of its collective seat.
The national hero still inspires great pride and passion, and the pressure on
the archaeologists to produce results is immense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgm9yxJQDTw
But the amazing artwork has itself inspired detractors: It’s so
advanced that some have cast doubt that it really dates from the era of
legendary general’s death in 325BC. Instead they insist it must belong to one of
his successors, or may even be a Roman monument attempting to tie their own
achievements to that of the legendary general.
Now
the evidence is mounting against the detractors. Coins showing the great
General have been recovered in the tomb, and heavily faded artwork appear to
show scenes reminiscent of Mycenaean fertility cults.
As
the penetrating eye of science is turned on the faded images and decayed bones,
much of Greece holds its breath: Is this the tomb of Alexander’s mother,
Olympia?
The
answer, whatever it may be, will no doubt become one of archaeology’s greatest
discoveries of 2015.
As the penetrating eye of science is turned on the faded images
and decayed bones, much of Greece holds its breath: Is this the tomb of
Alexander’s mother, Olympia?
The
answer, whatever it may be, will no doubt become one of archaeology’s greatest
discoveries of 2015.
see more in parts 2 and 3
SOURCE : http://www.news.com.au/
