Excavations at a burial site, some 370 miles from the city of Athens, has resulted in an archaeological breakthrough, with regards to Alexander the Great. Located near the city of Amphipolis in the northern part of Greece, this ancient grave houses the tomb of an important historical figure related to the famous 4th century BC Macedonian king.

The digging at the Kasta Hill site started in 2012, and has led to the unearthing of a huge burial mound, that is currently being regarded as the biggest tomb of Ancient Greece. The area is surrounded by a 1,600 ft long and 10 ft tall circular wall built using Thassos white marbles. At the tomb entrance, there stands two headless statues of sphinxes. The magnificent 16 ft high Lion of Amphipolis, recovered back in 1912 from the neighboring region of the Strymonas River, is believed to have been part of this ancient burial ground.

The architecture of the tomb resembles the kind built by the famous Greek architect and one of Alexander’s closest friend Dinocrates. Although the tomb has been accurately dated as belonging to the era after Alexander’s death, the identity of the buried person is still unknown.

However, lead archaeologist Katerina Peristeri believes that the tomb was not of Alexander the Great. What is indeed important to note is that it was in Amphipolis that Roxana, Alexander’s wife and his 12-year old son Alexander IV were assassinated in 311 BC by a Greek general named Cassander.

Talking about the significance of the discovery, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said:

It is clear that we stand before an extremely important finding…The land of Macedonia continues to move and surprise us, revealing its unique treasures, which combine to form the unique mosaic of Greek history of which all Greeks are very proud.

Image Credits:  AP Photo/Alexander Michaliidis / Getty Images

Via: History.com