News / 

Search continues at ancient Greek burial mound


6 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

AMPHIPOLIS, Greece (AP) — Scientists have opened the second phase of their excavation of the vast 4th-century BC burial mound in Amphipolis town in search of more tombs and bodies.

The first search of the site, which was built shortly after Alexander the Great's death, discovered and dug up a tomb containing a skeleton.

Greek Culture Minister Costas Tasoulas visited the burial mound in northern Greece on Saturday to announce the new phase of the exploration.

Geophysicists are scanning the site to see if there are other structures besides the splendid, three-chamber tomb discovered in August. The area being scanned is about one-seventh of the total of 2 hectares (5 acres) that the mound covers.

One goal is to try to calculate the discovered skeleton's gender and age. Identifying it may never be possible, even if its DNA is checked, said Lina Mendoni, the culture ministry's general secretary.

Speculation on the identity has been rife among experts, including speculation that it was Alexander's mother, widow, son, half-brother, or Nearchos, one of Alexander's closest aides and an Amphipolis native.

Meanwhile, archaeologists are still uncovering multicolored decorations found inside the dug up tomb. Lasers will be used to study them, Mendoni said.

_____

Follow Kantouris at http://www.twitter.com/CostasKantouris

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos

Most recent News stories

COSTAS KANTOURIS

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast