A documentary running five hours and including seven thematic sections, 304 exhibits emblematic of the Hellenistic world and 3,500 texts will constitute the collection of the digital museum that will present the time from the creation of the Macedonian kingdom to the modern studies of the life of Alexander the Great. In addition, the museum aims to become a forum for discussion of scientists who study the Hellenistic period, as reported by the Greek news agency AMNA.
This is what the digital museum dedicated to the legendary general whose story excites the public even today will be like. Archaeologist and inspirer of the project Angeliki Kotaridi said it is expected that it will be completed in 2015 and that it is prepared by the archaeologists involved in the excavations around the ancient capital of the Macedonian kingdom Aigai, now Vergina in northwestern Greece.
As the director of the archaeological service in the Imathia area, she informed on the progress of the preparation for the opening of a museum in Aigai. "Our idea was to create an open museum to communicate with visitors and to be connected to the entire region. We have created "halls" in various places in the huge archaeological park of 500 acres that includes the ancient graves and tombs. We have planted 3,000 trees, as our goal is to recreate the atmosphere of that era. The central archaeological council has already approved our idea to conduct excavations in front of visitors, which they will see in real time. The project does not provide for a permanent exhibition in the museum building that is still under construction. Aside from the two open spaces, where there will be exhibits related to the royal palace and statues, all the remaining area will be provided for continuously changing exhibitions. We also aim to create a research centre of the Hellenistic world," said Kotaridi.
The archaeologist did not fail to comment on the expectations raised by the excavations of the tomb in Amphipolis and especially that the grave of Alexander the Great is probably there. "If we know anything it is that he was not buried there. When I wrote this, many people told me that it bothered them and they would want his grave to be there. I do not want to find the buried Alexander, I am not interested in finding buried bones and I do not think I will find them. I prefer to look for his living memory."
At the end of her presentation, Angeliki Kotaridi paid attention to the globalization completed by Alexander the Great, which was radically different from today’s developments. "Alexander imagined a world without borders but respecting the specific traits of the people. The Greek language and culture were the link but the identity was a matter of choice, not compulsory."