The Amphipolis Tomb

Amphipolis was an Athenian colony of strategic importance, near the fruitful Strymon valley and the Pangaion gold mines. Amphipolis was founded in 438/ 437 B.C., though the region had been inhabited in the prehistoric period. Under the Macedonians, Amphipolis remained a strong city within the Macedonian kingdom, with its own domestic autonomy and having considerable economic and cultural prosperity.

In 1956, the prominent Greek archaeologist Dimitris Lazaridis started the first excavation at the site and later suggested that there is an important burial complex under the Casta hill. Lack of funds never allowed the operation to continue. Since 2009, Dr Katerina Peristeri has been leading the excavations at the Casta Hill in Amphipolis, Greece.

The excavation of the burial site has brought to light amazing works: a stone arch, an open Portal and two headless - wingless Sphinxes and two exceptional Caryatids. 

The second chamber, the one behind the two Caryatids, is 4,5 meters wide and 3,0 meters long. The chamber floor is covered with a pictorial mosaic in glorious colours and detail. The mosaic covers the entire floor surface of the second Chamber. The mosaic is in white, black, grey, blue, red and yellow and shows a chariot pulled by two white horses and two male figures. The Charioteer is a bearded man with a laurel wreath upon his head. Running ahead of the Chariot, is Hermes, the guide to the under world.

Archaeologists have also found of a grave made of limestone which contained a wooden coffin with an integral human skeleton. The grave was found 1.60 meters beneath the third chamber floor. The identity of the skeleton is still unknown; however, it certainly belonged to a prominent figure. The skeleton of the buried has been transferred to a laboratory in order to determine his or her identity.