The secrets of a vast burial mound with links to Alexander the Great are being laid bare during an ongoing excavation and restoration project in northern Greece. For the first time since archaeologists uncovered the site, the entire Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis is now visible in its full extent, offering a clearer picture of one of the most significant burial monuments ever found in ancient Macedonia. Restoration teams have now exposed the complete marble enclosure surrounding the tomb, confirming its status as the largest burial mound yet discovered in Macedonia, a revelation that has surprised even the specialists working on site.
The Kasta Tomb mound at Amphipolis, northern Greece, viewed from the ancient city, with the marble peribolos enclosure now fully revealed. (Neptuul / CC BY-SA 4.0)
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni recently visited the site to inspect the latest phase of the ongoing restoration. Archaeologists and engineers have now fully uncovered the marble peribolos, or enclosure wall, which stretches 497 meters around the mound, enclosing an area of more than 20 acres, while the broader site managed by the Ministry of Culture covers over 50 acres. The mound itself exceeds 140 meters in diameter, surpassing the famous Great Tumulus at Aigai, which measures around 110 meters.
"The Kasta Tomb is a unique and magnificent Macedonian monument," Mendoni said. "It is the largest burial mound discovered to date in Macedonia, with a diameter exceeding 140 meters, compared to 110 meters for the Aigai Tomb, an element that clearly reflects its uniqueness and scale."
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3D representation of the tomb structure. (Magikos fakos/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Restoration Milestones at the Kasta Tomb
Parts of the southern enclosure wall have already been rebuilt across 105 meters using original marble blocks recovered during excavation explains a Greek Ministry of Culture press release. Conservators added only limited artificial stone where extra structural support was needed. Work is now focused on stabilizing the western side of the enclosure while crews simultaneously install an extensive hydraulic drainage network designed to protect the mound from rainwater damage and long-term erosion. Engineers have also been reshaping sections of the hill to restore the mound's original geometry, reversing the distortions caused by centuries of weathering and later interference.
Inside the monument, earlier temporary steel supports and scaffolding used during emergency stabilization have been removed, allowing the internal chambers to become visible again for the first time in years. Recent restoration work also repaired the stone vault above the burial chamber. The next stage will focus on reinstalling the monumental double marble door that once sealed the chamber, as well as restoring the entrance sphinxes — including the return of missing wings and the missing head from one of the sculptures. The restoration project is also revealing evidence from later periods of activity around the tomb. Archaeologists identified traces of Roman dismantling operations, including the exact point where a crane once stood to remove marble blocks for reuse elsewhere, and nearby remains of ramps and lifting systems that suggest organized efforts to strip parts of the enclosure centuries after the tomb was built.
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Marble work and statues of the burial monument inside the tomb. (Greek Ministry of Culture)
The Connection to Alexander the Great
Scientific evidence places the construction of the monument in the final quarter of the 4th century BC, during the turbulent decades following Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC. The quality of the marble, the scale of the engineering, and the luxurious architectural design all point to a burial connected to the highest levels of the Macedonian elite, though archaeologists have still not identified the person or people interred there. Early theories suggested it could even have been intended as a tomb for Alexander himself before his body was ultimately taken to Alexandria by Ptolemy I Soter, though most archaeologists have dismissed that possibility, with many believing the tomb was more likely built for a close member of Alexander's inner circle or family.
Some experts have also suggested the monument bears similarities to the work of Dinocrates of Rhodes, the architect closely associated with Alexander's building projects. Amphipolis itself played a key strategic role during Alexander's campaigns, serving as a naval base for expeditions into Asia and as a staging point for military operations in Thrace. After the ruler's death, his wife Roxana and their son Alexander IV of Macedon were imprisoned and murdered in the city by Cassander, who seized power during the Wars of the Diadochi. The tomb's construction during this period of political upheaval and succession struggles only deepens the mystery surrounding who was ultimately laid to rest within it.
Opening to the Public in 2028
The restoration project involves archaeologists, architects, conservators, engineers, and scientific specialists from several Greek institutions. The full cost is expected to exceed €15 million, supported through regional and European funding programs. Greek authorities plan to add visitor facilities and a dedicated museum space on the eastern side of the site, with the goal of safely reopening the Kasta Tomb to the public in early 2028. During her visit to the region, Mendoni also inspected the only surviving wooden bridge from ancient Amphipolis, dating from the 5th century BC and mentioned by the historian Thucydides, with conservation work on the bridge now complete.
The full revelation of the Kasta Tomb's enclosure marks a significant milestone in one of Greece's most closely watched archaeological projects. The monument's scale, craftsmanship, and historical context continue to draw researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. As restoration progresses and the monument's original grandeur is gradually recovered, the Kasta Tomb stands as a powerful reminder of the ambition and artistry of the Macedonian world at the height of its power.
Top image: The entire enclosure of the Kasta Tomb at Amphipolis, Macedonia. Source: Greek Ministry of Culture
By Gary Manners
References
Greek Ministry of Culture, 2026. Lina Mendoni: A magnificent Macedonian monument is revealed with the restoration of the geometry of the Tomb and the revelation of the imposing enclosure. Available at: Lina Mendoni: A magnificent Macedonian monument is revealed with the restoration of the geometry of the Tomb and the revelation of the imposing enclosure
Kokkinidis, T. 2026. Amphipolis: The Grandeur of Kasta Tomb Revealed. Available at: https://greekreporter.com/2026/05/11/amphipolis-kasta-tomb/
McKeown, R. 2026. Secrets of giant tomb linked to Alexander the Great uncovered for first time. Available at: https://metro.co.uk/2026/05/13/secrets-giant-tomb-linked-alexander-great-uncovered-first-time-28349390/
Milligan, M. 2026. Excavation reveals vast scale of Amphipolis Kasta Tomb. Available at: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/05/excavation-reveals-vast-scale-of-amphipolis-kasta-tomb/158043
Radley, D. 2026. Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis fully revealed as restoration uncovers largest burial mound in Macedonia. Available at: https://archaeologymag.com/2026/05/kasta-tomb-in-amphipolis-fully-revealed/
