Athens: Nearly five decades ago, archaeologists unearthed a remarkable discovery within the ancient town of Vergina, Greece. Buried deep within the earth lay three royal tombs dating back to the 4th century BC, purportedly containing the remains of Alexander the Great’s family.
Initially thought to house the great warrior’s father, son, and elder half-brother, recent revelations have unveiled a case of mistaken identity spanning years. In a groundbreaking study, experts have now definitively identified the skeleton once attributed to the half-brother as that of Alexander’s father, and vice versa.
Led by Antonios Bartsiokas, professor of anthropology at the Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, the study sheds light on these historically significant skeletons. “The skeletons studied are among the most historically important in Europe,” Professor Bartsiokas and colleagues assert, emphasizing the pivotal role of scientific facts and historical evidence in determining the true identity of King Philip II of Macedonia.
While the resting place of Alexander the Great himself remains shrouded in mystery, the discovery of three tombs at Vergina in 1977 sparked intense speculation. Initially labeled tombs I, II, and III, these burial sites were believed to contain the remains of Philip II, Alexander IV, and Philip III, respectively. However, persistent debate has clouded the true occupants of tombs I and II.
To resolve this ambiguity, researchers meticulously examined X-rays of the skeletons and consulted ancient writings detailing anatomical features and physical ailments. The findings unequivocally designate tomb I as the final resting place of Alexander the Great’s father and tomb II as housing Philip III of Macedon.
Crucially, evidence of severe traumatic injury to the left knee aligns with historic records of Philip II’s lameness, confirming his identity. Additionally, the absence of specific injuries in tomb II further bolsters this conclusion.
Despite initial speculation surrounding the female skeleton found in tomb I, recent revelations suggest she is Cleopatra, Philip II’s wife, alongside their newborn child. This discovery, coupled with anatomical and historical evidence, solidifies the identification of tomb I as the burial site of Philip II.
Amidst ongoing scholarly discourse, Professor Bartsiokas and his team assert the unequivocal nature of their findings. “Our hypothesis of Philip II in Tomb I remains unchallenged in peer-reviewed literature,” they affirm, underscoring the conclusive evidence supporting their assertion.
