Large mosaic in ancient tomb uncovered in Greece [Amphipolis update]

Phys.Org ^ | 10/12/2014 | by Demetris Nellas

[Red Badger]

Archaeologists digging through a vast ancient tomb in Amphipolis in northern Greece have uncovered a floor mosaic that covers the whole area of a room seen as the antechamber to the main burial ground.

The mosaic, 3 meters (10 feet) long and 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide, depicts a horseman with a laurel wreath driving a chariot drawn by two horses and preceded by the god Hermes. According to a Culture Ministry announcement on Sunday, Hermes is depicted here as the conductor of souls to the afterlife.

The mosaic is made up of pebbles in many colors: white, black, gray, blue, red and yellow. A circular part, near the center of the mosaic, is missing, but authorities say enough fragments have been found to reconstruct a large part.

The ministry says that archaeologists have dated the mosaic to the last quarter of 4th century B.C. (325-300 B.C.), consistent with their belief the grave contains the remains of a contemporary of Alexander the Great, the ancient Greek King of Macedonia, who conquered the Persian Empire and reached present-day India, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in a whirlwind campaign, from 334 to 323 B.C. The grave may be that of a relative or general of Alexander's, archaeologists have speculated.

Alexander himself, who died in Babylon in present-day Iraq at age 32, in 323 B.C., is believed to have been buried in Egypt. But his tomb hasn't been found.

[Red Badger]

In this picture provided by Greece's Culture ministry on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, a partly damaged floor mosaic is shown inside an ancient Greek tomb, depicting a chariot driver, two horses and the Greek god Hermes. Archaeologists digging through an ancient grave at Amphipolis, northern Greece, uncovered the 3-by-4.5 meter (10-by-15 ft.) mosaic in what is likely the antechamber to the main burial room. (AP Photo/Greek Culture Ministry)

In this picture provided by Greece's Culture ministry on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, the ancient Greek god Hermes is depicted in a mosaic as the conductor of souls to the afterlife. Archaeologists digging through an ancient grave at Amphipolis, northern Greece, uncovered the 3-by-4.5 meter (10-by-15 ft.) mosaic in what is likely the antechamber to the main burial room. (AP Photo/Greek Culture Ministry)

[Red Badger]

PinGGG!.................Amphipolis Tomb Update!...................

[Red Badger]

[cardinal4]

Two great finds, this tomb and the ship that they been diving on..

[Red Badger]

A circular area near the middle is missing, but authorities say enough fragments have been found to reconstruct a large part.

Correspondents say the unearthing of the tomb at Amphipolis has enthused Greeks and has given rise to a wave of Greek pride and patriotism.

The mound is in ancient Amphipolis, a major city of the Macedonian kingdom, 100km (62 miles) east of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city.

The wall surrounding it is 500m (1,600ft) in circumference, dwarfing the burial site of Alexander’s father, Philip II, in Vergina, west of Thessaloniki.

[Red Badger]

This will upset the Romans...................

[NormsRevenge]

Add this one to the next trip itinerary wish list.

I would like to see more of Greece, Crete, Turkey for starters.

History intrigues me.

Thanks for posting.

[Red Badger]

The Cretans may be the ancestors of the Philistines of the Old Testament. They fled Crete when the volcano Thera/Santorini blew up..............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoan_civilization

[bgill]

That would never have been created if the ancient Greeks had iphones.

[Red Badger]

That would never have been created if the ancient Greeks had iphones.

[NormsRevenge]

Visited Santorini not so long ago,, incredible views, and it could do it again, Go BOOOMM! That is.

[Red Badger]

http://www.messagetoeagle.com/santorinivolcmagma.php#.VDwoNFeGfn4

[NormsRevenge]

Wished we had more time to explore, they have dug up Minoan stuff there I think, what we saw was pretty impressive.

[NormsRevenge]

So was the jewelry wifey acquired.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger.

[SunkenCiv]

Nope. There was a cultural connection, possibly through trade, and there’s one and a half Old Testament references to the Philistines having arrived from Cyprus (Caphtor of the OT, Keftiu in Egyptian records); but the Philistines or their successors appear to have been either destroyed by or deported by the Assyrians.

[colorado tanker]

Interesting that the author felt the need to explain what Alexander the Great did.

[SunkenCiv]

Alexander who? ;’)