I've quickly google-translated all the press releases, which initiated on Aug,18th 2014. You can find them below in reverse chronological order and
are posted without being proofread as of yet. Links to the Ministry's releases are included, not available in English, sorry, but they are accompanied by the original pics.
You can also roam the rest of the
Ministry of Culture's English site should you curious.
Will be updating, correcting translations & syntax on the below soon.
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31AUG2014
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58232
Ongoing excavations on the hill castes, Amphipolis, the KH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. With the removal of soil from the vestibule, the space behind the wall of the Sphinxes, revealed part marmarothetimenou floor, with white, small irregular fragments of marble, on red background, preserved in excellent condition. (photo 1.2). At the threshold of the first septal wall of the Sphinxes, found on the fresco that covered the traces of blue. (photo 3).
It was also found that in all three places, after sealing the wall, there is loose sandy embankment, as the maximum height of the dome. The three areas, created by the construction of the transverse diaphragm walls along the dome seems katachothikan by sealing the burial monument. The walls partly function as retaining elements of weak embankments. Both the vacuum seal on the outer wall and the holes in the next panels, which may have come from removing stones or non installation of stone, appears to be part of a plan sealing the tomb. (photo 4)
The finding, to date, there are three sites along the dome is another special feature of the monument, which was revealed to the hill castes.
The first septal wall, after login, disclosed only in the Ionic architrave, which is decorated with embossed rosettes oktafyllous. In the extreme eastern part architrave appeared the upper part side jamb. (photo 5). Also, it was found that the missing extreme western part of the architrave, as the overlying this stone. As we have already anaferei- statement of August 25-on diaphragm wall will be the entrance, which leads to the second area of the monument. The entry form will be revealed after the removal of soil within the next few days.
technical work
At the same time, the progress of the excavation evolve apace, completion of worksite infrastructure and the shielding of the monument and the wider area, from unexpected weather.
To protect the monument from the rain, except for the construction of the shelter, which was completed (photo 6) started peripherals monument, the configuration conductors runoff of rainwater.
For removal of loose sand embankments required structural engineering and geotechnical study which includes:
1 In full boxing bulkheads with wooden elements.
2 Formulation of "lofts" rack heavy duty work, which allow shore up the dome (photo 7) to establish an appropriate splint and smooth access from room to room and safe implementation of apochomatisis spaces. (photo 8).
3 The strong bracing second septal area to address the strong impulses from the land of the next space.
4 The external bracing entry with Sphinxes on safety diaphragm and seat tailstocks data that may be required during the progress of the excavation work. (photo 9.10).
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26AUG2014
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58172
Ongoing excavations in the tomb caste, Amphipolis, the KH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. Removed the last Domos (foto1) from the wall sealing, which was closing the front of the funerary monument, revealing the continuity of the mosaic floor.
In the center and in front of the entrance, disclosed pebbled floor, consisting of rectangular and square shapes, surrounded by black and white diamonds. (photo 2). At the bottom of the facade appears in fresco film, blue color, which is monitored and the side walls. (Photo 3.4). Continued removal of soil from the atrium, two meters in width about the wall of the entrance. The interior is covered even by volume of soil, which will be removed, with special attention in the coming days. Also performed systematically maintenance and fixing both the front of the monument, and the interior space of the disclosed.
Along with the progress of the excavation created the worksite infrastructure, which will ensure better working conditions for workers and safer protection in funerary monument of the weather. Today, and completed the installation of a temporary roof covering the outside of the monument. (photo 5).
Finally, under the direction of Mr. K.. Peristeri created interdisciplinary team consisting of specialists in civil engineering, architectural, geotechnical, surveying, maintenance and geologist, which will provide the necessary technical support level studies and work required to ensure the monument. Priority was given to studies and for the runoff of rainwater, for static strengthening disclosed walls for maintaining surfaces of varying textures and colors.
The work will employ the interdisciplinary working group in the next few days. With the progress of revelation of the monument will be issued a new press release.
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25AUG14
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58133
Ongoing excavations by KH Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities in Tomb caste, Amphipolis. Continued removal of the blocks of the wall sealing and revealed almost the entire front of the funerary monument, which is a highly original composition for the same architecture type of the Macedonian tomb of the last quarter of the 4th century BC. (photo 1)
The facade is decorated not differ from the side walls, with fresco imitates the broad marble wall. The maximum spacing between the pilasters is 1,67m. The typology suggests that there were no door panels but this is mere inlet opening. (photo 2)
Also, with the continued removal of soil, inside the vestibule, appeared beneath the marble Ionic architrave, inset marble from uprights, along the entire length of the side walls. (photo 3, 4) Within 6m. opening the inlet revealed uppers marble diaphragm wall, deficient in part of the left part (picture 5). Behind him are two guest rooms.
The diaphragm wall is revealed also a marble architrave and cornice, like the equivalent of the same precinct. Bring oktafyllous decoration with embossed rosettes at the height of the architrave of the side walls (photo 6).
The diaphragm wall will be no second entrance that leads to the interior of the monument. Soils of the space created behind the door, will be removed in the coming days if the permit mounting and maintenance work in places that have been disclosed.
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24AUG14
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58112
Ongoing excavations in the tomb of Amphipolis Caste, by KH Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, to uncover the burial monument. Removed another ten of the blocks, which were the seventh and eighth series, wall sealing. Remaining three sets to decomposition of all the eleven structures. Thus, it was revealed the continuity of the facade of the entrance of the monument, with decoration similar to that of the side walls. That is, fresco white, extremely careful, that mimics the marble wall. (photo 1).
At the same time, disclosed under the capitals, marble pilasters doorframe, which overlap also of white fresco. (photo 2). A partial removal of earth, behind the sign, revealing the back side of the entrance, very carefully, the corresponding space. The fresco of the architraves are traces of red and black. The side and rear view of the Ionic capitals of the pilasters, overlapping of fresco is painted over with the same colors. (photo 3, 4).
They have begun to detect and the side walls of the vestibule. It is lined with Thassos marble and adorned the upper part with Ionic architrave on wavelet whose traces of black and red. (photo 5).
In addition to the excavation work carried out maintenance operations and mounting of decor, just come to light, by skilled conservators.
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21AUG14
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58074
Ongoing excavations at the tomb, the Tomb of the caste KH Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Amphipolis. Today, removed, with the utmost attention, soils that were in the gap behind the statues of sphinxes at a depth of about two meters, and a width proportional to the input of the tomb, that is 4.50 m.'Etsi Proceeded, for the most part apochomatosi of the intrados of the dome.
At the same time, continued to remove five plinths from the sixth row of the wall sealing, using mechanical means. After their removal, discovered beneath the base of the Sphinxes, the upper portion of the marble doorway.
Covered with fresco mimicked Ionic architrave. Is decorated with
red, blue and black. Immediately below the Ionic architrave, revealed two Ionic capitals of the pilasters of the door, also overlapped with and fresco painted in the same colors. Work will continue tomorrow with priority mounting and maintenance of the current findings.
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20AUG14
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58052
Continued from KH Prehistoric Ms. Classical Antiquities excavation work in the Tomb caste, Amphipolis.
By removing so far eleven stones of the wall sealing, revealed entirely the Sphinxes Thassos marble. The height of the statue is 1.45 m. Overall height with heads estimated would reach two meters. In the torso, which is crafted with fine ntisilidiko, reflect the plasticity and the detailed work of the last quarter-century sculptures of 4 century BC. During the work found parts of feathers of Sfingon- who inserts the kormous- which allow full recovery.
We also found part of the back of the statue of the Lion of Amphipolis. Both Sphinxes, and Leo seems to come from the same workshop.
With the removal of soil, appeared also small part of the superstructure of the monument, which bears traces of red and blue, two shades respectively.
Work continues at the level of the intrados of the dome, the
securing and supporting the stone and removal of soil.
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18AUG14
http://www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=58013
The excavation of the tomb caste Amphipolis evolves according to scientific ethics.
Already started preparatory work for the safe shifting of the stones of the protective wall. Press on movement of two marble sphinxes are unfounded.
The Ministry of Culture today will regularly inform the public about the progress of the excavation.
