Amphipolis Tomb falls victim to European politics, Zominthos archaeological site damaged by looters

Some sad news, or at least news that made me sad, today. As another note, I want to say that I am currently very busy, dealing with some health issues and work deadline. Of course, I'll keep the posting up, but I need a bit of time for updates to the Beginner's guide and such. These things always seem to come in waves, don;t they? Anyway, some news:


Amphipolis Tomb falls victim to European politics

The Amphipolis tomb excavation site is in danger of being buried under the sand due to neglect and weather conditions, thus reports the Archaeological News Network. The Amphipolis tomb discovery was one of the ten most important findings in the world in 2014. Now, the burial monument is at risk of being buried again, but this time to the knowledge of archaeologists.

The major archaeological discovery in northern Greece cannot be opened for visitors at the moment as heavy rains have created stagnant ponds and forced mounts of dirt to cover most of the site. When water dries, the ground will be even more unstable. Water needs to be drained and a drainage system must be put in place. Drainage works must be completed before autumn, when bad weather starts again.

An emergency meeting took place between the excavation crew and culture ministry officials. A new geostationary study needs to be conducted in order to decide what precautionary measures to take to save the site. However, financial reasons do not allow the study to be done. And the geostationary study is essential before further, specific studies of stones, mortars, support methods and so on. Restoration of the monument at the moment is very difficult due to lack of funds for all the studies needed. Certain restoration procedures have taken place already, but further restoration studies and works need the approval of the Central Archaeological Council, other than the necessary funding.


Zominthos archaeological site damaged by looters

In an announcement issued on Sunday, Greece's culture ministry reported damage in three of the 42 rooms uncovered by the official archaeological excavation at the Zominthos archaeological site, on Mount Psiloritis on Crete. It said the illegal diggers had gone through the floor and destroyed a section of the southern wall of one room, that the base of a pillar found on the site had been moved and broken, while in rooms 35 and 26 there were signs of disturbance and illegal digging.

The ministry's deputy general secretary Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki paid a visit to the site on Saturday and a decision was made with the head of the antiquities ephorate and the head of the dig to begin work to restore the damage immediately.