Was an Ancient Fabric Worn by Alexander the Great Discovered?

A new claim suggests that a piece of fabric unearthed decades ago in Greece may actually belong to Alexander the Great, stirring controversy among archaeologists.

A delicate relic of purple-and-white cloth, thought to have survived for over 2,000 years, is igniting a fervent discussion among archaeologists in Greece regarding its historical significance. Antonis Bartsiokas, a paleoanthropologist from Democritus University of Thrace, recently published findings positing that this fabric, retrieved from a tomb previously associated with Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II, could actually be linked to Alexander himself or his half-brother.

The debate took center stage following Bartsiokas’s assertion that the tomb, discovered in 1977 by prominent archaeologist Manolis Andronicos, may not be the final resting place of Philip II, but of notable artifacts belonging to Alexander, including a chiton—a traditional tunic. While Andronicos maintained that the burial site was primarily dedicated to Philip II, whose reign established the military prowess that propelled Alexander to fame, Bartsiokas proposes that those interred included Alexander’s half-brother, Arrhidaeus, or Philip III, alongside Alexander’s possessions.

If validated, Bartsiokas’s claims could transform our understanding of this significant archaeological site. However, skepticism is prevalent, with many in the archaeological community questioning the basis of his findings. Utilizing advanced technology and his analysis of an ancient frieze inside the tomb, Bartsiokas aims to back his conclusions, yet some experts regard the arguments as potentially lacking in solid evidence.