GREECE: Archaeologists have unearthed a monumental ancient tomb - believed to be the largest of its kind in Greece - in the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, birthplace of Alexander the Great.
The eight-chamber tomb - dated to the Hellenistic Age (between the fourth and second century BC) - was discovered accidentally by a farmer ploughing his field on the eastern edge of the ancient cemetery of Pella, 596km (370 miles) north of Athens, archaeologists said.
Entered by a 16.2m (53ft) path, the 207sq km, rock-hewn tomb is significantly larger than any other found in Greece. Multi-chamber tombs found until now do not contain more than three chambers.
Archaeologists believe the tomb - filled with dozens of votive clay pots and idols, copper coins and jewellery - will shed light on the material culture of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia after Alexander's conquest of Asia.
Alexander's empire, which stretched from Greece to Asia, was fragmented violently by his generals into separate kingdoms upon his death in 323 BC.
The tomb - believed to have been used for two centuries - was probably plundered in antiquity, as most of the artefacts were strewn by the entrance, said site archaeologist Maria Akamati.
The complex is dominated by eight chambers plastered with red, blue and gold dyes.
The tomb's size suggests it belonged to a wealthy Macedonian family.