Game over for Greece's mystery grave: Tomb raiders plundered site in antiquity - dashing hopes of finding artefacts dating back to Alexander the Great's reign
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It was described as 'incredibly important' and of 'global importance,' but now archaeologists have discovered that a mysterious tomb in Greece was plundered in antiquity.
Experts had hoped that the ancient mound in northern Greece contained the untouched remains of an important senior official from the time of Alexander the Great, as well as possible treasures.
But now it appears that signs of forced entry outside the huge barrel-vaulted structure, indicate the tomb was emptied long ago.
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Archaeologists were hopeful that an ancient mound in northern Greece could hold the remains of a senior official from the time of Alexander the Great. They discovered that its entrance is guarded by a pair of sphinxes (pictured) but now say that signs of forced entry indicate it was plundered in antiquity
Archeologists entered the underground structure earlier this week and The Culture Ministry said that it appears to have been looted in antiquity.
At 1,935ft (590m) wide, it is the largest burial of its kind ever discovered in Greece.
Experts had partially investigated the antechamber of the tomb at the Kasta Tumulus site near ancient Amphipolis in Macedonia, Greece, and uncovered a marble wall concealing one or more inner chambers.
They said that a hole in the decorated wall and signs of forced entry indicate it was plundered, but excavations will continue for weeks to make sure.
The tomb dates between 325 BC - two years after the death of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great - and 300 BC. Its discovery and a visit there by Greece's prime minister sparked extensive speculation on its contents.
Earlier this week, photographs emerged of a pair of sphinxes guarding the grave's entrance beneath a large arch and Greece's Culture Ministry said that most of the earth around the mythical creatures had been removed to reveal part of a marble lintel with frescoes.
Chief archaeologist Katerina Peristeri, said that the monument being uncovered is a unique tomb, not just for Greece but for the entire Balkanic peninsula, and described it as being of 'global interest'.
Archaeologists excavating an ancient mound in northern Greece (picutred) uncovered the entrance to an important tomb. It is believed to have been built at the end of the reign of warrior-king Alexander the Great and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras described the discovery as 'extremely important'
WHO WAS ALEXANDER THE GREAT?
Alexander (statue pictured) was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BC, and died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC
Alexander III of Macedon was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BC.
He died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC.
Alexander led an army across the Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt claiming the land as he went.
His greatest victory was at the Battle of Gaugamela, now northern Iraq, in 331 BC, and during his trek across these Persian territories, he was said to never have suffered a defeat.
This led him to be known as Alexander the Great.
Following this battle in Gaugamela, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles (17,700km), founded over 70 cities and created an empire that stretched across three continents.
This covered from Greece in the west, to Egypt in the south, Danube in the north, and Indian Punjab to the East.
Alexander was buried in Egypt.
His fellow royals were traditionally interred in a cemetery near Vergina, far to the west.
The lavishly-furnished tomb of Alexander's father, Philip II, was discovered during the 1970s.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who visited the tightly-guarded site two weeks ago, said the discovery 'is clearly extremely important'.
Alexander, who started from the northern Greek region of Macedonia to build an empire stretching as far as India, died in 323 B.C. and was buried in Egypt.
His fellow royals were traditionally interred in a cemetery near Vergina, to the west, where the lavishly-furnished tomb of Alexander's father, Philip II, was discovered during the 1970s.
But archaeologists believe the Amphipolis grave, which is surrounded by a surprisingly long and well-built wall with courses of marble decorations, may have belonged to a senior ancient official.
Dr Peristeri has argued the mound was originally topped by a large stone lion that was unearthed a century ago, and is now situated around 3 miles (5km) from the excavation site.
Geophysical teams have identified there are three main rooms within the huge circular structure, news.com.au reported.
In the past, the lion has been associated with Laomedon of Mytilene, one of Alexander's military commanders who became governor of Syria after the king's death.
Greece's culture ministry said that most of the earth around the sphinx statues has now been removed to reveal part of a marble lintel with frescoes (pictured) but hopes of finding further treasures now seem to be slim
The tomb is situated in Amphipolis region of Serres in Greece (marked). Archaeologists believe the grave may have belonged to a senior ancient official. While it looks largely undisturbed, there are fears that looting took place hundreds of years ago
THE GREEK SPHINX
In Greek tradition, the mythical sphinx has the haunches of a lion, sometimes with the wings of a great bird, and the face of a human - usually a woman.
It was described by writers as being treacherous and merciless.
In many myths, including Oedipus, those who could not answer a riddle posed by the monster, would be killed and eaten.
The sphinx described by the Ancient Egyptians was usually male and more benevolent.
In both cultures, they often guarded entrances to temples and important tombs.
The oldest sphinx found guarding a site was discovered in Turkey and dates to 9,500 BC.
'The excavation will answer the crucial question of who was buried inside,' Mr Samaras said.
Earlier this week, experts shared their fears that the tomb could have been looted hundreds of years ago.
Part of a stone wall that blocked off the subterranean entrance was found to be missing, while the sphinxes, which were originally six feet (2metres) high, lack heads and wings.
Near the sphinxes, excavators have found fragments of a large marble lion that originally capped the mound, which they said indicates the site was severely damaged and dug up in later antiquity.
Last week The Culture Ministry called for 'understanding' while the Amphipolis excavation proceeds.
The discovery has sparked global interest and wild speculation that it may contain rich treasures or the bones of an ancient celebrity.
'It's astonishing, the biggest tomb we have found in Greece so far,' said archaeologist Chryssoula Paliadelli, an expert on the period who is not involved in the excavation.
'It clearly shows the wealth that allowed construction of what was, at the time, a hugely costly monument.'
Excavator Katerina Peristeri has argued the mound was originally topped by a large stone lion that was unearthed a century ago, and is now situated around 3 miles (5km) from the excavation site (pictured). The lion has been associated with Laomedon of Mytilene, who was one of Alexander's military commanders
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