The Ministry’ s Press Release on 16.10

As the excavation work is continued, the Ministry of Culture informed the press of the latest developments, with a new press release this morning (16.10).

According to the ministry, the excavators continue to remove the embankments and the dredging spoil that came from the excavations of Dimitris Lazarides (that took place at another part of the hill, many years before) that exist above the monument. The removal has been completed at the west side and it is being continued in the area behind and east of the dome.

Furthermore, today the excavating team finished with the removal of the soil from above the eastern part of the mosaic, thus revealing the third figure, depicted behind the bearded man who wears a red himation.

It is the depiction of a young woman who has curly, fluttering hair and wears a white chiton fixed with a red ribbon below the chest. She also wears a jewel on her left wrist. It is obvious now that the mosaic depicts the abduction of Persephone by Pluto, which is a common burial theme. A similar depiction is also found in the –so called – Persephone’ s tomb in the royal necropolis of Aegae. But in Aegae the depiction is on a wall, so this is the first time we see this theme in the form of a pebbled mosaic in a burial monument.. The mosaic is described as stunning for its colors and details and its dimensions are 4.5 x 3.

Technicians have already begun to implement all the necessary measures for the protection of the mosaic. These measures include the installation of layers of polystyrene over the mosaic covered with wood paneling. 40 centimeters above, they will install a temporary wooden floor in order to gain access to the third chamber.

At the same time, they have finished with the shoring up in the third chamber. Further excavations haven’ t been performed, as the team have been busy with the uncovering of the mosaic.

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