Archaeologists excavating the largest antique tomb ever found in Greece, in Amphipolis Macedonia, have discovered an elaborate and largely intact, floor mosaic. The mosaic, 3 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, the mosaic depicts a chariot in motion, pulled by two white horses and driven by a bearded man, crowned with a laurel wreath. Hermes, the messenger of the Gods and guide to the underworld is depicted in front of the chariot.

Made up of many coloured pebbles, the mosaic covers the whole floor of the second chamber of the tomb – the one featuring the Caryatids. A circular part near the centre is missing, but archaeologists say that enough fragments have been found nearby to reconstruct it.

According to an announcement by the Hellenic ministry of culture on Sunday (October 12), the mosaic has been dated to the last quarter of 4th century BC (325-300BC), consistent with the initial belief that the grave contains the remains of a contemporary of Alexander the Great, the king of ancient Macedonia.

ekathimerini: Giant mosaic unearthed in mysterious Greek tomb; The Guardian: Mosaic uncovered in northern Greece could mark royal Macedonian tomb