Archaeologists have announced that they have determined the identity of one of the “most historically important” human bones in Europe, found in an ancient Greek royal tomb.
According to a study published in Journal of Archaeological Science: ReportThey say the human bones they examined belong to the father, half-brother, and son of Alexander the Great, who ruled the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia from 336 B.C. until his death in 323 B.C.
During his reign, the legendary leader waged massive military campaigns and built the largest empire in history, stretching from Greece to northwest India. Undefeated in battle, he is widely considered to be one of the most successful military commanders in history.
In the latest study, researchers studied human remains found in the so-called “Great Tomb” in the vast cemetery of Aigae in Vergina, northern Greece. The Great Tomb is one of his four Macedonian royal tombs in the Aegean, dating back to different periods of ancient history and covered with tombs (mounds of earth and stones piled over graves). I am.
The Great Tumulus contains three important tombs (known as Royal Tombs I, II, and III) that are thought to date from around the late 4th century BC. However, the identity of the occupants of each of these tombs has been a long-standing debate among scholars. A 4th century BC tomb in Aegae, the first capital of ancient Macedonia.
“This is a unique case in Greek archeology of a tomb that may be associated with an important historical figure,” the authors of the latest study said in their paper.
The royal tombs beneath the Great Tomb were excavated in the 1970s, and archaeologists have since discovered that the tombs contain the remains of Macedonian royalty: Alexander the Great’s father (Philip II), son (Alexander IV), and half-brother. (Arrhidaios Philip III). ). The discoveries made during these excavations helped Vergina become a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Specifically, researchers identified the occupant of Royal Tomb II as that of Philip II, who died in 336 BC. Meanwhile, Tomb I was associated with Arrhidaeus and Tomb III with Alexander IV.
Most scholars agree that Mound III belongs to Alexander IV, the teenage son of Alexander the Great. However, heated debate over the other two graves continues unabated.
To shed new light on the burial, a team of researchers from Greece, Spain and the United States studied human remains and considered available archaeological and historical data.
These investigations revealed that the male remains in Tomb I were in fact those of Philip II. One reason for this is that a fusion of the knee joint has been discovered in the bones, which is consistent with historical evidence of his lameness. This tomb also contains the remains of a woman and a young baby.
This agrees with historical accounts of Philip’s death, who was assassinated shortly after giving birth to his wife Cleopatra. Cleopatra and her baby were also killed shortly after.
In addition, no signs of trauma were found in the male skeleton in Tomb II, which also contained the female remains. Evidence that the male and female skeletons were cremated is consistent with historical evidence from Arrhidaeus.
“The evidence presented supports the conclusion that Tomb I is that of Philip II, his wife Cleopatra, and their newborn child,” the authors write.
Meanwhile, researchers concluded that Tomb 2 belonged to King Arrhidaeus and his wife Adea Eurydice. Researchers found no evidence to refute the widely held view that Tomb III belonged to Alexander IV.
“These conclusions refute traditional speculation that Tomb II belongs to Philip II,” the authors write.
Researchers concluded that Tomb 2 belonged to Arrhidaeus, not Philip II, and that some of the armor and other items found there may have once belonged to Alexander the Great. Suggests.
“The identity of the occupants will greatly influence the interpretation of its contents. For example, ancient depictions and writings have led some scholars to believe that some items, such as the armor of the Second Tomb, belonged to Alexander the Great. This is great. “This is only possible if this is the tomb of Arrhidaeus and not Philip II,” the authors write.
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