Human skeleton found inside tomb at Amphipolis archaeological dig in northern Greece

ATHENS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A human skeleton was discovered at the Amphipolis tomb in northern Greece during the ongoing archaeological excavation, Greece's Culture Ministry announced on Wednesday.

According to a press release, the human remains were found in the third chamber of the impressive Alexander the Great era tomb (4th century BC) which has gradually come to life since August this year at Kasta Hill.

However, it will take more time and analysis of the finds for experts to identify the buried person, according to the archaeologists in charge of the dig.

During a press briefing at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Amphipolis, about 570 km north of Athens, Culture Ministry officials said the skeleton was found inside a limestone grave at about 1.5 metres beneath the tomb's floor.

The analysis of the remains is considered one of the most significant findings so far, since it is expected to reveal valuable information, such as the buried person's height, sex, age and may help archaeologists make a safe guess about their identity.

The discovery since summer this year of two magnificent sculptures of females, two sculptured sphinxes and a mosaic depicting, according to archaeologists, the abduction of Persephone, a daughter of God Zeus in ancient Greek mythology, has strengthened scenarios that the tomb's occupant was a very important figure.

According to scenarios, it could be Alexander the Great's mother, wife or son, or one of his generals who was buried at the spectacular massive tomb.

During Wednesday's press briefing, experts said the monument seemed to have been built for a person who was seen as a hero. Whoever the tomb's occupant was, was a very prominent figure at the time.

Archaeologists at Kasta Hill are using technology to uncover the tomb's secrets. They have teamed up with the applied geophysics laboratory of the National University of Thessaloniki to conduct several monitoring and sampling controls of sediments inside and outside the tomb to analyze the bedrock.

The lab is performing an electrical x-ray on Kasta Hill to depict the subsoil in a 3-D representation.

Professor Grigoris Tsokas, head of the lab, said they would be able to release the findings seven to ten days after they collected the data.

Culture Minister Costas Tassoulas is scheduled to give a press conference at Amphipolis on Nov. 22, according to Wednesday's press release, and Katerina Peristeri, the head of the archaeological dig, is expected to follow with a presentation of the finds a week later in Athens.

希腊古墓中发现疑似亚历山大大帝亲属或高官遗骸

新华社雅典１１月１２日电（记者刘咏秋　陈占杰）希腊文化部１２日宣布，希腊考古学家近日在希腊北部马其顿地区的一座巨型古墓中发现了一具人类遗骸，他（她）可能是亚历山大大帝的亲属或高级军政官员。

希腊文化部在一份声明中说，遗骸是在这座亚历山大大帝时代（公元前４世纪）巨型古墓的第三个墓室中发现的。

在雅典以北约５７０公里处的阿姆菲波利斯古城附近的发掘现场，考古学家向媒体表示，遗骸发现于墓室地面之下约１．５米处的一个石灰石墓穴。墓穴里有一个木制棺材，铁钉、铜钉以及骨制和玻璃制的装饰品散落在墓穴中。这具遗骸的一部分在棺木内发现，一部分在棺木外发现。

考古学家称，遗骸的发现是古墓发掘中最重要的发现之一，墓主在当时是一位非常显赫的人物，很可能是一位英雄。根据目前各派学者的推测，墓主可能是亚历山大大帝的母亲、妻子、儿子、姐妹或他的将领，但确认其具体身份需要进一步的研究。

这座古墓高３３米、周长５００米，其规模是迄今希腊发现的所有古墓中最大的，于２０１２年被发现，今年８月考古学家首次进入墓地内部，陆续在古墓内发现了两座大型女性雕像、两座狮身人面像和一块精美的马赛克地板。

希腊文化部官员和考古学家认为，该墓地的大理石用量巨大，建筑花费惊人，在当时可能是一个公共工程。