In 1977 A.D. the Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos began excavating a mound known as the Great Tumulus in the Greek city of Vergina (ancient Aigae, Αἰγέαι). Aigae was the ancient capital of the Greek Kingdom of Macedonia before the capital was relocated to Pella. It also served as the ancient burial site of the Macedonian Kings.
When Andronikos made his excavation, he found four tombs, two of which were undisturbed since antiquity. Further research indicated that the two undisturbed tombs were the resting place of Philip II (father of Alexander the Great), one of his wives, and Alexander IV (son of Alexander the Great).
View of the outside of the tumulus:
View of tomb one. The museum is actual in the mound itself; we are looking down.
Model of Tomb 1, an unidentified (at least on our tour) woman's tomb.
Painting found in the tombs. It represents Hades kidnapping Persephone:
Model of Tomb II of Philip II. This would have been the outer appearance; it was then buried.
Tomb III, belonging to Alexander IV:
Once again - and not for the first time - it was amazing to stand in the places where historical people had been.
Standing or touching somewhere a historical figure has stood/touched always gives me a since of awe too.
ReplyDeleteEd, almost every day of Greece was like that for me. Places like Pella and Aigae where people like Philip II and Alexander walked (literally) constantly gave me the tingles. In that sense, the best vacation ever.
DeleteInteresting photos TB, lot of earth to move. Relatively recent evacuation also.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of earth, Nylon12 - and we take it for granted that it could be done in a week with current equipment. Measured in terms of spades and baskets of earth, what an undertaking.
DeleteIt was a relatively recent excavation. Possibly what impacted that was the outcome of the Greek Civil War (1946-1949) and the military junta (1967-1974). Also, Aigae is relatively far away from the more popular and well known historical sites, so likely it simply suffered from being the equivalent of an "E" ticket ride at Disneyland. Certainly no-one expected undisturbed tombs, let alone of a historical character.
Looks like an interesting place. I love that they are doing excavation plus models. Somehow it retains the antiquity along with making it all real.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, it was very interesting - especially because the museum was effectively "in place" of the actual burials.
DeleteThe models were helpful to me as well in picturing what it actually looked like.
very nice I have not looked at pictures before!!!
ReplyDeletePP, it was pretty awesome.
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