Regarding the ongoing excavations, Peristeri told journalist that “if the tomb has been looted, it means that someone very important is there, a very important person”. She also noted that the recent findings suggest that there is no opening towards a fourth chamber but she said that there are still "many mysteries which must be solved”.
She avoided elaborating on the identity of the person entombed, but she did say that many theories have already been drawn by many about it, and then stressed that patience and thorough work is necessary before coming to any conclusions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture announced that fragments of the Sphinx statues have been located. Archaeologists working in the tomb in Amphipolis have made a new series of impressive discoveries which offer valuable clues in uncovering the secrets hidden within.
Amongst the recent findings are the head and fragments of the wings belonging to the two sphinx statues at the entrance of the tomb. According to state officials, these fragments are enough to restore the sphinx statues to their glory. In fact, the Greek Culture Ministry’s architect M. Lefantzis is expected to draft the relevant plans.
The discovery of the marble fragments, from the two sphinx statues that adorn the entrance to the tomb make officials believe that the tomb in Amphipolis may have been looted at some point, and later restored.
On the outside of the tomb, it was reported that archaeologists discovered a series of engravings which appear to have the signature of the tomb architects. The engravings feature Greek letters and support the theory that the tomb was constructed at some point in the 4th century BC.
Lastly, US archaeologist Dorothy King who has been following the excavations at Amphipolis, said on her blog recently (Dorothy King’s PhDiva) that “the empty rooms and dead end support a cenotaph and heroin for Alexander the Great, which was not reused for anyone else since doing so with such an important tomb might have seemed presumptuous.”
In her post, Ms. King notes that the chambers were probably used for a cult of Alexander whilst they waited for his body to come home.
“The items once in there would have been removed before it was filled with soil to prevent it collapsing,” the historian described by The Guardian as “blonde, glamorous and a fearless hunter of treasures” said.Based on the fact that the weight of the mound should not have been enough to make the chamber collapse if the rest of the core was solid, the archaeologist believes that there were other sets of rooms in the mound. She said she also is convinced that it is highly likely that there were other structures around the important tomb, whether the sarcophagi of later deceased or temples to heroes and gods.
(Combined news reports)
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