Greek Ministry of Culture, Press Release 31-08-2014

translated from the Greek Ministry of Culture

original source: http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58232

automatic translation (via Google Translate): https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=el&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yppo.gr%2F2%2Fg22.jsp%3Fobj_id%3D58232

31 August, 2014

Ongoing excavations on the hill castes, Amphipolis, the KH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. With the removal of soil from the vestibule, the space behind the wall of the Sphinxes, revealed part marmarothetimenou floor, with white, small irregular fragments of marble, on red background, preserved in excellent condition. (photo 1.2). At the threshold of the first septal wall of the Sphinxes, found on the fresco that covered the traces of blue. (photo 3).

It was also found that in all three places, after sealing the wall, there is loose sandy embankment, as the maximum height of the dome. The three areas, created by the construction of the transverse diaphragm walls along the dome seems katachothikan by sealing the burial monument. The walls partly function as retaining elements of weak embankments. Both the vacuum seal on the outer wall and the holes in the next panels, which may have come from removing stones or non installation of stone, appears to be part of a plan sealing the tomb. (photo 4)

The finding, to date, there are three sites along the dome is another special feature of the monument, which was revealed to the hill castes.

The first septal wall, after login, disclosed only in the Ionic architrave, which is decorated with embossed rosettes oktafyllous. In the extreme eastern part architrave appeared the upper part side jamb. (photo 5). Also, it was found that the missing extreme western part of the architrave, as the overlying this stone. As already stated on August 25-on diaphragm wall will be the entrance, which leads to the second area of the monument. The entry form will be revealed after the removal of soil within the next few days.

Technical Work

At the same time, the progress of the excavation evolve apace, completion of worksite infrastructure and the shielding of the monument and the wider area, from unexpected weather.

To protect the monument from the rain, except for the construction of the shelter, which was completed (photo 6) started peripherals monument, the configuration conductors runoff of rainwater.

For removal of loose sand embankments required structural engineering and geotechnical study which includes:

1. In full boxing bulkheads with wooden elements.
2. Formulation of "lofts" rack heavy duty work, which allow shore up the dome (photo 7) to establish an appropriate splint and smooth access from room to room and safe implementation of apochomatisis spaces. (photo 8).
3. The strong bracing second septal area to address the strong impulses from the land of the next space.
4. The external bracing entry with Sphinxes on safety diaphragm and seat tailstocks data that may be required during the progress of the excavation work. (photo 9.10).