The burial of the dead (at Vergina)
In 1977 an archaeological excavation carried out by Manolis Andronikos revealed a spectacular site holding the remains of ancient Macedonian royalty. The tombs have been subject to debate since their discovery and are still dividing archaeologists over whose cremated remains are housed inside - Philip ll and his last wife Kleopatra; or Philip lll Arrhidaeus, together with his wife Eurydice.
Andronikos stated that he believed the remain interred in the tombs belonged to the Macedonian King, Philip ll. He based this theory on the various artefacts such as pottery, weapons and artworks that were found inside the chamber, that dated back to the third quarter of the fourth century B.C. Also the size and unique decoration of the chamber along with the two small ivory heads, respectively identified as portraits of Alexander the Great and Philip ll, indicated that the burial was one of royalty.
Another indication that the burial was on of royalty was the second gold larnax found in the antechamber of Philip’s tomb. The larnax was discovered with a royal diadem inside a marble sarcophagus, together with a wooden mortuary couch with similar decoration to Philip’s. Inside the larnax the remains of a young female are wrapped in a golden-purple cloth with a golden diadem decorated with flowers and enamel, indicating a queen. These remains are know thought to of belonged Philip ll’s last wife Kleopatra who sacrificed herself at her husband funeral.
After numerous studies and articles were published regarding the tombs, an extensive anthropological investigation was launched to fully analyse more than 350 bones and fragments found in the two golden caskets.
In April 2000, an article titled 'The Eye Injury of King Philip II and the Skeletal Evidence from the Royal Tomb II at Vergina’, was published by Antonis Bartisokas and argued that the remains of Philip ll, were housed in Tomb l. Bartisokas argues...