Amphipolis excavator: This is not a Roman tomb

In recent days several archaeologists have publicly speculated that the tomb might be Roman according to certain indications, which provoked the ire of Ms Peristeri.

“I firmly believe that the tomb is from the last quarter of the 4th century B.C and we have all the evidence for that. It is useless for colleagues to come out and talk about Roman years or anything else,” she stated.

She underlined that the excavation is, “not only for the good of archaeology, but for the good of this land in a critical period and the whole world is watching.”

She thanked her coworkers working under ‘difficult conditions’ as well as the Culture Ministry and the prime minister for their assistance, and made no effort to conceal her irritation at certain colleagues who, as she said, “come out and talk on television and to newspapers, trying to get 5 minutes of fame and that, for me, is not good. It insults not only the excavation, not only our research, but the country.”

With regards to updates about the dig she stressed that an effort was being made not only to keep archaeologists informed, but the general public as well with regular press releases issued in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and well-known journalist Anna Panayiotarea.

“Until now, excavations, as we know, were kept hidden, basements were full of finds for what purpose? To be studied decades later, maintained decades later, losing their value. For us it is good, for science and culture to circulate.”