On pebble mosaics I have taken my information from "Mosaics of the Greek & Roman World" by Katherine Dunbabin.Jeanne Reames wrote: Actually, there are pebble mosaics later that the early 2nd century. They're not common, but they do persist into the early 1st century. Again, I am deferring to the art historians, as that very point was raised earlier and Olga (and a couple others) named several that are later. Also of note are the *blue* pebbles, which are not used in the late 4th/early 3rd century mosaics at Aegae or Pella. By contrast, the blue may reflect Roman influence which, in turn, reflected Egyptian influence. Also a Roman art historian friend said the folds on the peplos of the caryatids looked suspiciously Roman to her eyes (and she has no horse in this race, so she really doesn't care). All this stuff is beyond my ken (except for the blue stones), but I'm dubious of an early date. I don't think we have enough evidence yet, and archaeologists always want to attach a famous name to their digs to stir up interest (and funding). Greek archaeology (especially in Macedonia) has been problematic for quite a while due to political influences (Royal Tombs anybody?), and this tomb has been used to deflect attention to the debt crisis, don't forget. ;>
I hate to be a "Debbie Downer," but personally, I suspect that the tomb belonged to a wealthy local family under the last of the Antigonids or very early Roman occupation, and is probably nobody we've ever heard of before ... much like the spectacular tomb of Lyson and Kallikles, excavated and published by Stella Miller(-Collett)--and also a tomb with multiple burials. It's still a magnificent find, even if it's not a name or family previous known to us.
I have no trouble believing that you can find 1st century BC examples if you try hard enough, but they would be in the nature of exceptions that prove the rule. I would be very surprised if there is anything to compare with the mosaic in the Amphipolis tomb. Indeed any such pebble mosaic would already be famous. There is nothing that compares to the Amphipolis tomb mosaic in quality and ambition except in the palace at Pella and dating to the late 4th century BC. It is not necessary to rely on any single indication for the date of the Amphipolis tomb, but it is obviously very unlikely that its mosaic is later than about 250BC and in its 3D effects it really belongs with the Pella examples in the late 4th century BC.Katherine Dunbabin wrote:The later history of pebble mosaics represents a decline in quality. They continued to be produced throughout the third century BC and into the second; there was some enlargement of the decorative repertory, but the standard of execution was seldom high.
The Archontikon Heroon that I mentioned has a circumference of 158.5m whereas the Amphipolis tomb has a diameter of 158.4m. It is therefore obvious that the two tombs are related. Again this makes it extraordinarily improbable that the Amphipolis tomb could be late Hellenistic or Roman. Instead it compels an early Hellenistic date.
Interestingly, you mention Stella Miller: are you aware that she studied the loose blocks from the Amphipolis tomb's peribolos wall in the early 1970s? She concluded that they were either 4th century BC or 2nd century BC on the basis of the geison soffit mouldings on the crowning blocks from this wall.
There is already enough evidence in the public domain to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Amphipolis tomb is either late 4th century BC or very close to it and the archaeologists have said that their coin and ceramic evidence will support a date in the last quarter of the 4th century BC when they eventually publish it (they are very experienced local experts, so it is unwise to question their evidence on the matter of dating). Olga's stylistic arguments are looking increasingly Canute-like.
Have you calculated how much the Amphipolis tomb cost to build? It has a 0.5km perimeter with a 3m high wall of solid marble blocks imported by sea from the island of Thasos and finely sculpted by master masons. The lion sculpture is 6m tall. We are in the thousands of talents range. Who exactly do you think could have funded something on this scale among wealthy local families? Only powerful royal families were ever capable of funding something on this scale. That is why in its size and scale the Amphipolis tomb is unique in Greece. Only the 120m wide mound over the late 4th century BC tombs at Aegae comes close to it.
Best wishes,
Andrew