The Ministry of Culture published the first picture of the skeleton that was discovered in the enigmatic tomb of Amphipolis, at a press conference that was held on Saturday. The skeleton is currently kept at the archeological museum of Amphipolis and over the next few days a scientific team will be chosen in order to carry out the necessary anthropological research.
The Ministry’s general secretary Lina Mendoni told journalists that the skeleton was found in fragments, but most of it has been found. The skull was located outside of the burial opening, while the pelvis bone, which could indicate the deceased’s gender, was found in pieces. In conjunction with the fact that no burial offerings have been found, it is believed that the tomb was probably open to the public and looted in the past.
Civil engineer Dimitris Eglezos told journalists that the artificial opening beneath the tomb\s third chamber, where the skeleton was discovered, was constructed prior to the dome itself. There is not indication, so far, as to the time difference between the construction of the opening and the tomb. Additionally, the yard surrounding the tomb was likely destroyed in the post-Roman era, with various pieces later used for other purposes.
During the press conference it was also announced that coins were found during the excavations bearing the face of Alexander the Great, along with other coins dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.
