Macedonian Tomb of Agios Athanasios in Agios Athanasios, Greece
Encased safely inside a concrete protective shell beneath a 12-metre-high burial mound (tumulus) is a late 4th-century BC Macedonian tomb holding a breathtaking secret: flawlessly preserved, 2,400-year-old fresco paintings. Though ancient grave robbers stripped the burial chamber of its gold long ago, they left the spectacular artwork untouched. The tomb's facade features a striking pediment…
Atlas Obscura reports on a remarkable discovery in Agios Athanasios, Greece, where a late 4th-century BC Macedonian tomb has been preserved within a concrete protective shell encased beneath a massive 12-metre-high burial mound. Despite the grave robbers who stripped the burial chamber of its gold, they left the tomb's spectacular fresco paintings untouched after 2,400 years.
The tomb's facade is adorned with a striking pediment featuring golden-winged griffins, while below, a detailed symposium frieze captures a lively ancient banquet scene with six garlanded men reclining on couches, drinking wine, accompanied by female musicians. Flanking the heavy stone doorway are two life-sized, melancholic young guards standing as a permanent vigil.
Brief written by urgent.news from Atlas Obscura's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
