Archaeologists in southern Greece unearthed a 2,400-year-old tomb in the ancient city of Tenea, revealing a wealth of artifacts.
The ancient city of Tenea was discovered in 2018 by a team of Greek archaeologists led by Dr. Eleni Korka. Previously thought to be a mythical city, Tenea is located on the outskirts of the village of Chiliomodi, approximately 60 miles southwest of Athens. According to Greek mythology, Tenea was established by Trojan prisoners of war who were granted permission by King Agamemnon to build their own settlement after the Trojan War.
The first excavations revealed a vast necropolis dating back to the 4th century BCE to the Roman era. In addition to the work in the necropolis, research extended to the residential area of the ancient city. New structures from the Roman and Late Roman periods associated with daily life and artisanal production were identified in the residential area.
The tomb, resembling Macedonian tombs from the Hellenistic era, features an asymmetrical T-shaped layout. It consists of an entrance corridor measuring 2.80 meters by 1.20 meters and a main burial chamber extending 2.75 meters by 7.40 meters. The main burial chamber is rectangular, oriented along a north-south axis, and is perpendicularly connected to the entrance corridor on its eastern side.
The latest excavation was conducted last fall as part of an ongoing research project at the site, supervised by Dr. E. Korka and archaeologist P. Evangeloglou.
Inside the burial chamber, archaeologists discovered a large monolithic sarcophagus and five rectangular funerary niches along the walls. Researchers identified the sarcophagus as belonging to an adult woman.
Among the artifacts found inside the tomb were a gold ring with a semi-precious stone signet depicting Apollo with a healing serpent, two gold coins replicating Hellenistic coinage, and several gold leaves from a wreath. Other discoveries include a silver tetradrachm of Philip III Arrhidaeus, bronze decorative objects, and small Hellenistic vases.
A peculiar finding inside the sarcophagus was the presence of a large quantity of domestic animal bones, including a tortoise shell. Additionally, a thick layer of animal bones was found within the monument's fill and inside the burial chamber, suggesting the existence of ritual practices associated with healing or funerary worship.
Votive offerings were also discovered within the tomb and its surroundings. These included terracotta fingers with suspension holes and fragments of a ceramic arm, indicating the possible existence of a sanctuary associated with healing cults.
Over the years, mourners, looters, and worshippers passed through the tomb's doors, with two niches showing clear signs of having been looted in antiquity. The tomb was in use as a burial site until the fourth century CE, when it was sealed and abandoned.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
