Getting closer to Alexander, the great?

The Amphipolis tomb.

Amphipolis is a municipality in the Serres region of northern Greece. In ancient times, it was a city once called Edonia, that falls in the present day region of central Macedonia. The tomb at the Amphipolis is now being highlighted as the probable burial ground of none other than that of Alexander, the great!

While Alexander had died in Babylon(situated in the present day Iraq), the spot where he's been buried has remained a mystery till date! And hence the years of geological research to locate it.

From the Amphipolis tomb, the following are discernible:-

          * the tomb consists of the oldest cists estimated to have been built between BC 325 and 300.

             Alexander, the great had passed away in Jun BC 323, at the young age of 32 because of

             Malaria!

          * the skeleton that has been found under the ground surface of the third chamber is that of

             a man with the undermentioned characteristics that match Alexander's persona:-

                         -   of medium height

                         -   is white skinned

                         -   is brown/red haired!

          * but what baffles the researchers is that while the trappings of the tomb point out to the fact

             that though its inmate was an important dignitary, is the absence of weapons and personal 

             armour that used to be buried along with the body.

The scientists' explanation.

         * the personal effects could have been looted by thugs

         * the tomb is not Alexander's but that of his senior military leader.

Tailpiece.

An interesting slice of history. 50 years ago, a DNA test was carried out on King Philip II, the father of Alexander. Will another similar test provide convincing results is the moot question!