Macedonian Tomb of Agios Athanasios
The archaeological site of Agios Athanasios includes a tumulus with two unlooted tombs from the late 4th - early 3rd century BC and one looted from the 4th century BC.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
During the 1960s and 1970s the first discoveries were made.
1994 Completion of extensive excavation.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The archaeological site includes a tumulus with two unlooted tombs from the late 4th – early 3rd century BC and one looted from the 4th century BC. A silver urn with the burnt bones of a woman was found in one of the unlooted tombs and a young warrior was probably buried in the other. The looted one is decorated with murals that are considered world masterpieces, and their colours are still preserved. The tomb is “guarded” by two watchful soldiers and the frieze represents the process of a symposium. The details are stunning, such as the spike that supports the guards’ shields. In another burial tumulus, graves from the Middle Byzantine period and an exceptionally beautiful one-chamber tomb from the 3rd century BC were found.
What I can't see
It is the first time that a symposium scene has been found in a tomb, probably depicting Macedonian military officials on foot and on horseback. In addition to these tombs, a cemetery from the archaic era (6th century BC) and two monuments from the classical era were discovered in the area. The excavation of the archaic cemetery brought many findings to light, such as spears, swords, figurines, vases from many Greek cities and islands and local pottery objects. These vases also show the trade activity and the extroversion of the area’s ancient settlement.
Info
- Address: 2 Athinon Av.
- Postal Code : 57003
Bibliography
Zafeiris Ch. (1997), Θεσσαλονίκης Εγκόλπιον, ιστορία, πολιτισμός, η πόλη σήμερα, γεύσεις, μουσεία, μνημεία, διαδρομές, [Thessaloniki Handbook, history, culture, the city today, flavours, museums, routes], Athens: Exantas
