EUROPE, GREECE, WORLD

Alexander the Great’s Sacred Purple Tunic Found in a 2,400-year-old Macedonian Tomb?

Alexander the Great’s Sacred Purple Tunic Found in a 2,400-year-old Macedonian Tomb?

Alexander the Great’s Sacred Purple Tunic Found in a 2,400-year-old Macedonian Tomb?

Archaeologists have found a sacred chiton (tunic) in a 2400-year-old royal tomb in the Macedonian city of Vergina in northern Greece, and it could belong to Alexander the Great!

Archaeologists have known for decades that Alexander the Great’s family has a close connection to the three royal tombs located in Vergina. However, it has been more than fifty years since they were able to agree on who they belonged to.

The inhabitants of the 4th century BC Royal Tombs were the subject of another study earlier this year. According to the results of the research, the tombs contained the remains of Alexander’s father, stepmother, half-sisters, and son.

Under the direction of Antonis Bartsiokas of Democritus University of Thrace, a team of archaeologists identified a purple-dyed cotton cloth that corresponds to historical accounts of the sarapis, a ceremonial garment worn by the great Persian kings that Alexander took after defeating Darius III of Persia.

The sacred “chiton” was found in the golden ossuary of Tomb II alongside the remains of a man and a gold wreath.

Through in-depth analysis of the tunic, the tombs, and historical records, researchers have finally been able to link this royal garment to Alexander the Great.

Additionally, huntite, a bright white mineral used in ancient Persia, was found between the layers of the textile, reinforcing the idea that this garment has an eastern origin.

The remains of a royal cloak discovered in Tomb II may have belonged to Alexander the Great, according to a study published in The Journal of Field Archaeology.

An international team of archaeologists and osteologists set out to identify the tomb’s occupants after it was found inside a golden ossuary that contained male remains that were initially thought to be those of Philip II.

Façade of Vergina’s Tomb II.

This finding has significant ramifications because it may indicate that many of the items discovered in Tomb II belonged to Alexander the Great rather than Philip II, as was previously thought.

Research suggests that Tomb II, located in the Great Tumulus of Vergina, does not house the remains of Philip II, Alexander’s father, but rather those of his half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, who inherited several symbols of power from Alexander after his death.

A golden diadem, a scepter, and a golden oak wreath are among the items discovered in the tomb; these items are all referenced in historical accounts as being a part of Alexander’s royal attire. But because the sarapis had such symbolic meaning in the Persian court, their discovery is especially significant.

The sarapis was a purple tunic with a white stripe down the center, reserved exclusively for Persian kings, and Alexander’s adoption of it marked his dominance over the vast Persian Empire.

A figure, most likely Alexander, is shown hunting in a purple sarapis with two white stripes on a frieze in Tomb II. The conclusion that the tunic belonged to Alexander the Great is further supported by the fact that it matches historical accounts, as do other relics, such as a golden oak wreath discovered in Tomb II.

A garment of such immense value would likely have been inherited by a close family member. After Alexander’s death, the Macedonian army crowned his half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, as king. According to The Greek Reporter, he most likely brought Alexander’s belongings back to Greece, including the royal scepter and tunic.

This new study provides answers to lingering questions surrounding the Royal Tombs of Vergina. It confirms that Alexander the Great was not buried there. Instead, Tomb I holds the remains of Philip II, his wife Cleopatra, and their newborn child.

Based on royal symbols and osteological data, Tomb II contains the remains of King Philip III Arrhidaeus and his wife Adea Eurydice, while Alexander IV is buried in Tomb III.

ENGLAND, EUROPE, WORLD

Seven metal detectorists found 2,584 silver coins in a southwest England field “the most expensive treasure ever found in the United Kingdom”

Seven metal detectorists found 2,584 silver coins in a southwest England field “the most expensive treasure ever found in the United Kingdom”

Seven metal detectorists found 2,584 silver coins in a southwest England field “the most expensive treasure ever found in the United Kingdom”

In early 2019, seven metal detectorists found a cache of 2,584 silver coins dating to the Norman Conquest that had lain in the ground for almost 1,000 years in a field in the Chew Valley in southern England.

Now, the silver pennies have sold for $5.6 million—making them the most expensive treasure ever found in the United Kingdom.

Adam Staples and the other detectorists reported their “unprecedented” discovery to officials using the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, a record of archaeological finds made by members of the public, according to a statement from the museum.

“It’s fantastic, unbelievable,” said Staples. “It has definitely changed my life. It was like holding history in your hand. And, obviously, the financial side of it is brilliant as well.”

The coins are a mix of Saxon and Norman currency, showing a turning point in English history and covering the transition from Saxon to Norman rule (between 1066 and 1068).

Experts believe that the coins were likely buried for safekeeping during the turmoil of the conquest.

Michael Lewis, head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, said in the statement that the find is “incredible.”

Lewis said the coin hoard will help deepen understanding of the most famous date in English history: 1066, the year William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, replacing England’s Saxon monarchs with Norman French rulers.

Amal Khreisheh, curator of archaeology at the South West Heritage Trust, with some of the conserved coins.

Though the invasion marked a historic schism, the coins in the hoard are remarkably similar whether they were minted before or after the conquest.

Just under half the coins depict Harold II of 1066, the last crowned Saxon king of England. Just over half feature William I (also known as William the Conqueror), the first Norman king. Other than the ruler they depict, the two types of coins are quite similar.

The AP notes that each has an emblem on one side and a picture of a king’s head in profile on the other, while Harold’s has the word “peace,” which is written as “pax,” and William’s has an ornate cross.

“The hoard symbolizes a pivotal moment in English history, and we are delighted to have made this acquisition so that it may be enjoyed by generations to come,” Sam Astill, chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust, said in the statement.

Named for the rural region in which it was discovered, the Chew Valley Hoard was purchased for the country using funds from the charitable division of the British National Lottery. It will have a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, 130 miles southwest of London, after being on exhibit at the British Museum and other museums across the United Kingdom.

ASIA, INDIA, WORLD

Oldest evidence of animal butchery in India found from extinct elephant fossil

Oldest evidence of animal butchery in India found from extinct elephant fossil

Scientists studied stone tools, bone flakes and rare elephant remains.

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unearthed the earliest evidence of animal butchery in India, dating back 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 years.

The findings, published in two recent studies, shed light on the activities of early humans in the region and provide valuable insights into an extinct elephant species.

The fossils were first discovered in 2000 near Pampore in the Kashmir Valley, but their significance remained unclear until now.

A team led by Advait Jukar, a curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, has revealed that the remains belong to at least three ancient elephants of the genus Palaeoloxodon, which were more than twice the size of modern African elephants.

The researchers identified elephant bone flakes at the site, suggesting that early humans struck the bones to extract marrow. This discovery pushes back the earliest known evidence of butchery in India by nearly 2,90,000 years.

Oldest evidence of animal butchery in India found from extinct elephant fossil
Since it was first unearthed in 2000, the giant elephant skull has been stored, mounted in cement, in a glass box

Alongside the elephant remains, 87 stone tools were found, likely used for marrow extraction. These tools, made from basalt not native to the area, indicate that early humans transported raw materials to the site for tool-making.

The most complete skull belongs to a mature male Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus, a rare species previously known only from a partial skull fragment found in Turkmenistan. This specimen provides crucial information about the evolution and migration of the Palaeoloxodon genus.

While the evidence clearly shows human exploitation of the elephant carcasses, there are no signs of hunting. The elephants may have died naturally, possibly weakened by chronic sinus infections evident in their skull remains.

This discovery not only provides insights into early human behavior but also fills gaps in our understanding of elephant evolution in South Asia. As Jukar notes, “The specimen could help paleontologists fill in the story of how the genus migrated and evolved”.

The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive archaeological surveys in the region. As Jukar suggests, future excavations should focus on collecting all bone fragments, not just intact specimens, to uncover more evidence of early human activity.

These studies, published in Quaternary Science Reviews and the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, mark a significant advancement in our understanding of prehistoric life and human activity in the Indian subcontinent.

EUROPE, WORLD

Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

In the province of Catania, archaeologists have excavated the remains of a Roman house with a mosaic floor dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD.

The house was part of a whole Roman village and was situated close to the town of Vizzini in southeastern Sicily, at an elevation of almost 500 meters above sea level.

Archaeologists from the University of Göttingen have been researching how people lived and traded in ancient times in Sicily. for more than 20 years. Now, they have made another significant discovery: a Roman village with an area of about 15 hectares.

Since 2022, the Göttingen team has been conducting research here under the direction of Prof. Dr. Johannes Bergemann from the Archaeological Institute.

First, possible ancient archaeological sites were inspected throughout the Vizzini region. In 2023, a geophysical survey was carried out following surface investigations of the sites that were identified.

This survey detected anomalies in the Earth’s geomagnetic field and created detailed images of the subsurface without the need for excavation.

These geophysical measurements led the research team to the remains of the buildings that have now been excavated.

The building extended 30 by 13 meters, and its remains are just below the current surface. Inside, there is a representative room of nearly 100 square meters, with a floor covered in mosaics. Unfortunately, parts of the mosaic were destroyed by plowing, says Bergemann.

Göttingen excavations in Sicily in the province of Catania near the town of Vizzini.

There were other comparable structures nearby, according to the geophysical measurements. Between the 2nd and around the 6th century AD, people lived here at a high level: there were columns built with rounded bricks, coated with stucco, and probably painted, similar to what you see in Pompeii, says Bergemann. We have found remains of fountains with marble ponds, as well as luxury Roman ceramics known as Terra Sigillata.

It is a Roman village that is roughly 15 hectares small. Large rural settlements and villas, as well as Roman agricultural production facilities that frequently produced significant yields, replaced the ancient Greek cities during the Roman era. Long-distance trade in the globalized Roman Empire made this possible.

Numerous small storage sites emerged along the southern coast of Sicily for this purpose. ‘This new settlement system, which was connected to the interior by long-distance roads, only existed for a few centuries. The house we discovered near Vizzini is an important testimony to this era,’ says Bergemann.

The archaeology team presented its findings for the first time on 16 October 2024 in Vizzini Town Hall. At the University of Göttingen, Bergemann and other members of the research team will present their findings on 3 February 2025 as part of the public archaeological lecture series in the Old Auditorium.

ASIA, VIETNAM, WORLD

Excavations revealed a bronze age settlement, shedding light on the organized society that once existed in Northern Vietnam

Excavations revealed a bronze age settlement, shedding light on the organized society that once existed in Northern Vietnam

Excavations revealed a bronze age settlement, shedding light on the organized society that once existed in Northern Vietnam

Archaeologists have uncovered a pre-Dong Son settlement in northern Vietnam dating back nearly 3000 years.

Researchers from the Institute of Archaeology have uncovered important Bronze Age finds at the Vuon Chuoi Archaeological Site in Lai Xa Hamlet, Kim Chung Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi. These findings shed light on the organized society that once existed in northern Vietnam.

Dong Son culture is named for a village in northern Vietnam (named for the modern village Đông Sơn, a village in Thanh Hóa, Vietnam) where many of its remains have been found. It was a Bronze Age culture centered at the Red River Valley of northern Vietnam from 1000 BC until the first century AD.

The excavation on the western side of the Vuon Chuoi site spanned 6,000 square meters, according to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology. Numerous pits, each measuring roughly 100 square meters, were dug up, yielding important preliminary results.

“The initial discoveries revealed a settlement area from the pre-Dong Son period,” said Dr. Quy. “The site is situated on the highest point of the Vuon Chuoi mound, featuring a basin-like structure with the outer edges elevated by about 0.5 meters compared to the center.

It appears that ancient people took advantage of both natural elevated and lower terrain to create a settlement, surrounded by a protective moat about 10 meters wide and 2.5 to 3 meters deep.”

Funerary objects in early Dong Son burial mounds.

Based on observations, the building material was probably yellow-brown clay that was taken from nearby natural mounds. The site’s outer slopes contain burial sites, while the interior displays remnants of pre-Dong Son cultural periods.  A dense burial area that formed a necropolis from at least two overlapping periods was found in the northwest corner in particular.

“These discoveries are pivotal for understanding the Bronze Age in Northern Vietnam,” Dr. Quy noted. “They provide deeper insights into how ancient communities managed their living spaces to address challenges posed by both natural and social environments.

The scale of construction at this site also indicates a well-organized society with a high level of labor division.

Despite these important results and the near completion of the excavation at Vuon Chuoi, conservation work is progressing very slowly.

To guarantee the site’s protection, the Institute of Archaeology and other pertinent organizations have been submitting paperwork to authorities since 2019. The only portion of Vuon Chuoi that has been designated as a heritage site under inventory is the eastern portion, which was permitted to be preserved.

Hanoi Museum representatives have promised, that the Heritage Management Department will collaborate closely with the Hoai Duc District’s Cultural Department to expedite the process of recommending Vuon Chuoi’s designation as an officially recognized archaeological site.

ASIA, WORLD

Archaeologists Unearthed a Secret Tomb in the Ancient and Mysterious City of Petra, Jordan

Archaeologists Unearthed a Secret Tomb in the Ancient and Mysterious City of Petra, Jordan

Archaeologists Unearthed a Secret Tomb in the Ancient and Mysterious City of Petra, Jordan

A tomb containing at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts estimated to be at least 2,000 years old has been discovered beneath the monument known as the Khaznah, or Treasury, in the heart of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

The Treasury, a famous and ornate mausoleum carved into pink sandstone cliffs and believed to be at least 2,000 years old, is Petra’s main attraction and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Although no skeletal remains have been discovered inside the Treasury itself, the most widely accepted theory, despite centuries of expert debate, is that the monument functions as a mausoleum.

It has featured in numerous movies including “Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger” (1977) and perhaps more pertinently, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989).

Archaeologists led by Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman, executive director of the American Center of Research, unearthed the ancient tomb.

The expedition was investigating the Treasury following years of conjecture that there were additional hidden underground chambers besides the two tombs discovered beneath the monument’s left side in 2003. Until now, however, that theory had not been verified.

Earlier this year, Creasman and his team used ground-penetrating radar, a remote sensing method that uses radar pulses to detect underground objects, to check if the physical characteristics on the left, where the original tombs were discovered, matched those on the right.

The discovery of striking parallels between the two sides was evidence that they required authorization from the Jordanian government to excavate beneath the Treasury.

With Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” crew, the team excavated the newly uncovered tomb in August. The actual surprise, however, was what was inside the tomb. While many tombs discovered in Petra were empty or disturbed, the chamber contained complete skeletal remains and grave goods made of bronze, iron, and ceramic.

The intact burial found beneath the Treasury provides rare insight into the lives of the Nabataeans, ancient Arabian nomads whose desert kingdom thrived during the fourth century BC to AD 106, Creasman said.

“This is a hugely rare discovery — in the two centuries that Petra has been investigated by archaeologists, nothing like this has been found before,” Josh Gates, host of Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown said.

The discovery of at least 12 skeletons underneath the Khaznah, or the Treasury, may be the largest collection of human remains found in one place within Petra, Jordan, researchers said.

“Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the world … there are still huge discoveries to be made.”

It has also been featured in several movies, most prominently as the site of the Holy Grail in the 1989 film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”

Among the artifacts were several vessels, with one skeleton found clutching a ceramic chalice that resembled the shape of the Holy Grail. “It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art,” Gates said.

“They must be hugely important people, because where they’re buried is such prime real estate; it really is the main entrance to the city,” Gates said. “I think learning who they are is really going to help unlock part of the story of the Treasury.”

Within the tomb beneath the Treasury, archaeologists found a ceramic vessel resembling the Holy Grail.

Their burial customs are one unsolved mystery pertaining to the Nabataeans. “The king is more integrated with lower classes than leaders of other civilizations, and Nabataean society is frequently described in literature as being more egalitarian,” Creasman said.

 It is difficult to determine whether the newly discovered tombs beneath the Treasury were intended for royalty because, of the Nabataean tombs discovered thus far, there does not appear to be a significant difference between royal and ordinary burials.

Their findings can be viewed in full in the latest episode of the Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” (season 14, episode 1).

ASIA, IRAQ, WORLD

Ancient Babylon Excavation Uncovers 478 Artifacts Including Cuneiform Tablets, and Cylindrical Seals

Ancient Babylon Excavation Uncovers 478 Artifacts Including Cuneiform Tablets, and Cylindrical Seals

Ancient Babylon Excavation Uncovers 478 Artifacts Including Cuneiform Tablets, and Cylindrical Seals

The Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) announced that 478 artifacts were uncovered during an excavation expedition in the historic province of Babylon.

The Director of the Excavations Department accompanied the Missions Follow-up Committee to site 19/3 in Sector 38 of Al-Fayyadiya district to examine the work of the archaeological mission in the Babil governorate, according to a statement released by SBAH.

Under the direction of archaeologist Quhtan Abbas Hassan Aboud, the mission has uncovered information that provides fresh insights into ancient Mesopotamian life and culture.

During the visit, the head of the committee received a detailed explanation from the mission leader regarding the findings of the excavation.

The Al-Fayadiya district’s 19/3 excavation site is separated into two sectors, A and B. There are two layers of archaeological stratification in Sector A, which is 6 dunums (roughly 6,000 square meters) in size.

Among the findings in Babylon are tablets with cuneiform writing.

However, the structural discoveries in Sector B, which spans a wider area of 9 dunums (roughly 9,000 square meters), have been even more abundant.

Two distinct residential units with rooms of varying sizes that may have served different purposes in the daily lives of the prehistoric occupants have been discovered in this zone.

According to Soheil Al-Tamimi, Director of the Department of Excavations, who was present during the visit of the Mission Monitoring Commission, the first layer corresponds to the Sasanian period. However, this layer has suffered considerable damage due to erosion and human intervention over the centuries.

The second layer dates to the ancient Babylonian period, and the better-preserved, which has sparked special interest among researchers who hope to uncover more about the characteristics of urban life during that era.

Cylindrical seals.

The excavation team found 478 diverse artifacts, including pottery jars, cuneiform texts, and cylindrical seals, according to the statement, which added that work is still ongoing to complete the scientific excavation work according to the specified period.

The missions committee suggested that all excavation work be disclosed, that the work be photographed and drawn, and that the artifacts be recorded by the scientific contexts that SBAH adheres to.

Photo: Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage

These findings promise to provide fresh insight into the material culture and urban growth of one of the most powerful civilizations in ancient history and mark a breakthrough in Babylonian archaeological studies.

EUROPE, HUNGARY, WORLD

A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in north-western Hungary

A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in north-western Hungary

As a result of research involving volunteers and students carrying out an excavation project led by a university team specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages at Bükk in north-western Hungary, they have uncovered a rich collection of extremely interesting items, including more than 60 bronze and iron objects.

The research focuses on an ancient village located on the mountaintop of Verebce-bérc. Before being destroyed by an attack, this village flourished in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. This year is the sixth year of field searches and the third season of excavations.

In three research events this year, the team identified buildings burnt down during the previous siege and continued to survey the area with metal detecting equipment.

The treasure before being unearthed. Péter Mogyorós PhD student, Nikolett Dienes, and Angéla Farkas archaeology students.

Metal detector surveys conducted in the region revealed an astounding array of metal artifacts, offering fresh perspectives on the cultural ties within this area.

The most outstanding discovery is a collection of over 60 bronze and iron objects, primarily jewelry and horse harness parts, likely buried during the siege.

This treasure is especially noteworthy because of its ties to the cultures of southeast Europe, especially the Balkan region. Researchers believe this assemblage was interred to ward off the assault, rendering it invaluable documentation of the village’s past battles, commerce, and cross-cultural exchange.

Excavations at the discovery site

Numerous eminent experts from different universities have been drawn to the project, and they have worked together on various facets of the project, including research and logistics. Berlin-based archaeologist Bernhard Heeb and University of Olomouc professor Martin Golec are among the guests.

The Bükk National Park staff has also assisted the team, with assistance from specialists such as Bartha Attila, Ézsöl Tibor, and Holló Sándor.

Members of the Hungarian National Museum’s National Research Institute, including Fullár Zoltán and Bakos Gábor, have also provided support.

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