Greek Ministry of Culture, First Press Release 16-10-2014

translated from the Greek Ministry of Culture

original source: http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58852

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16 October, 2014

Continued excavation work on the Kasta Hill [monument] from KH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. Removed from the hill, the embankments and dredging excavation [of] Lazaridis. He has already completed the removal of the west side and the work behind and east of the dome.

Today removed the last layer of soil on the east side of the mosaic, discovered the third aspect of the scene, behind the bearded man [who wears a coronary and a red robe].

This youthful female form, with waving red curls, wears a white robe held with a thin red ribbon at breast height. [She has jewelry on the wrist of her left hand.] It is obvious that this is a representation of the mythological abduction of Persephone by Hades, the presence of the god Hermes as psychopomp, as is customary in such representations (photo 1, 2, 3).

It is an amazing mosaic not only for the wealth of color, but also for the perfect execution of the project and the creation of the third dimension in the mosaic, particularly in the depiction of [Hermes] psychopomp and Persephone. It is obvious that the scene references the abduction of Persephone [mural] in the so-called Tomb of Persephone in the royal cemetery at Vergina. But [there] the scene of the abduction of Persephone is in Aegae mural. Here, for the first time, is found a pebble mosaic [of that scene] in a funerary monument. The dimensions of the mosaic floor ie 4,5CH3.

With the discovery of the mosaic floor was given the opportunity and the final prop architrave of Caryatids. Of course, they have already begun work to protect the mosaic such as:

a. covering [the mosaic with] styrofoam sheets

b. And over these wainscot [boards]

At a height of 40 cm. Above the paneled floor will get access to the fourth room, which will be based on the third row supports.

With the incision made in the damaged part of the mosaic found conditions bearing the floor are: Mortar 8-10 cm as subbase mosaic, below a layer of cobbles 10-12 cm thick, which is founded on bedrock [in the form of] hard clay-like sand.

In the fourth room namely in the third chamber, is completed prop. No excavation work progressed, because the team dealt with the discovery of the mosaic.