14 DAY TRIAL // Those of you who've been keeping an eye on the news probably know that, earlier this year, archaeologists got busy exploring an ancient tomb in Greece. The tomb dates back to the Alexander the Great era, meaning that it was built in the 4th century BC.
Researchers have until now unearthed three chambers and an underground vault hidden beneath the floor of the third room. Latest news says that, while exploring this underground vault, archaeologists came across several human remains.
More precisely, they found skeletal remains that appear to be several millennia old. Scientists expect that these bone fragments discovered deep inside the tomb will help them figure whom this monument was built for eons ago.
A one-of-a-kind archaeological find
Information shared with the public by the Greek Ministry of Culture says that the bone fragments were tucked away inside a wooden coffin at the time they were discovered. In turn, the coffin was hidden in the underground limestone vault.
What's interesting is that this coffin that researchers found under the floor of the tomb's third chamber contained not just human remains, but also metal nails and glass fragments when archaeologists cracked it open and had a look inside it.
As detailed by Live Science, the bone fragments, the metal nails and the bits and pieces of glass were all piled up together. For the time being, it is still unclear how the nails and the glass fragments ended up inside the coffin, scattered among the human remains.
In the days to come, the bone fragments will be removed from the tomb and taken to various laboratories. Here, scientists will analyze them in detail. The goal is to determine whom these remains might belong to.
One of Greece's largest tombs
Apart from the human remains discovered just a few days ago, archaeologists exploring the tomb have until now unearthed sphinxes, female statues, and gorgeous mosaics. Given their age, archaeologists say that these artifacts are incredibly well preserved.
Of the mosaics discovered inside this tomb in Greece, one shows Persephone, the Greek queen of the underworld, being abducted by Hades. The two are pictured riding in the back of a chariot. They are accompanied by Hermes, messenger to the gods and conductor of souls.
The two sphinxes and the two female statues found while excavating the site were discovered in front of the entrance to the tomb's first and second chamber, respectively. Archaeologists explain that they were placed there to guard the complex and the person laid to rest inside it.
Although several other ancient tombs have been discovered in Greece over the years, researchers show that this 4th century one is by far one of the largest. In fact, some even claim that it is the most complex monument of this kind to have until now been excavated anywhere in the country.
Hence, there is little doubt that the person for whom the tomb was built was quite wealthy and belonged to a privileged social class. Hopefully, researchers will soon figure out who this person was.
