The burial mound of Mesia (diam. 32m; height 5m) is located at a distance of about one kilometre south of ancient Europos – an important city in antiquity (6th/5th century BC to 6th century AD), birthplace of Seleucus I Nicator. The mound itself sits prominently atop a distinct natural hillock west of the Axios River, through which passed the Europos-Pella axis road, and was thus intended to be seen from afar. As such it served as a symbol of the wealth and political power of a prominent member of the aristocratic class of the region during the late 4th century BC and/or in the 3rd century BC.
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| View of the Mesia burial mound [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports] |
The Ephorate of Antiquities of Kilkis had identified multiple instances of clandestine excavations in various parts of the mound, which is located west of the modern settlement of Mesia in the Municipality of Paionia. A salvage archaeological excavation was thus deemed necessary in order to protect the mound, and was conducted between September and November of 2020.
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| Stratigraphic section of the tumulus [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports] |
Systematic documentation of the stratigraphy of artificial walls in the central part of the tumulus has been carried out, and several phases of the creation of the tumulus were observed. It was also noted that the filling of ancient excavations/trenches had been carried out with a material which allowed its conservation and stability.
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| View of the covering slabs of the burial chamber [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports] |
The excavation uncovered a funerary monument which had been looted: a cist tomb with a door opening and thekes or niches. This tomb was built inside a gallery dug in the sandy and clayey sediments. It is a single chamber (dimensions 3.5m x 2.5m and 3m high) built with masonry from limestone blocks and covered with eight slabs, seven of which were still in place. The tomb had a door opening which was sealed with blocks. Inside, the walls were plastered with a stucco of different thickness for the floor and for the walls. In the western part of the room, there was a bench and two thekes or niches in the north wall.
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| Interior view of the burial chamber [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports] |
The monument was probably looted more than once during Antiquity, at a time when it was surmounted by a small earthen wall. Subsequently, it was surmounted by a tumulus with a height of 2.20m. The looting of the monument had resulted in the destruction of its eastern side, damage to the interior and the removal of all moveable finds. Of the funeral offerings, there were only a few remains of leaves, some fruit from a gilded bronze wreath, probably a myrtle wreath.
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| Interior view of the burial chamber [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports] |
As noted above, the monument is dated to the late fourth century BC or the third century BC. Its further study is expected to provide more accurate data for its dating.
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