Archaeologists in Vergina, Macedonia, Greece have made a remarkable discovery. They have found a purple-dyed textile in the 2,400-year-old Royal Tombs. This extraordinary find is believed to have belonged to Alexander the Great.
For decades, archaeologists have been aware that the three royal graves housed in Vergina are intimately connected to Alexander the Great’s lineage. Yet, they haven’t reached a consensus on who they belonged to for over half a century.
Through in-depth analysis of the tunic, the tombs, and historical records, researchers have been finally able to link this royal garment to Alexander the Great. This significant finding resolves a long-standing debate and opens exciting new avenues of research.
Alexander the Great’s sacred purple tunic speaks
A study published in The Journal of Field Archaeology suggests that the remains of a royal cloak found in Tomb II belonged to Alexander the Great. Discovered within a golden ossuary containing male remains initially believed to be those of Philip II, an international team of archaeologists and osteologists aimed to definitively identify the tomb’s occupants.
In addition to osteological analysis, the tunic prompted archaeologists to reassess their understanding of the burial arrangement. As one of the most ambitious rulers in history, Alexander the Great would have possessed garments that clearly signified his status and would have been passed down to his heir.
The tunic, made of cotton, provides valuable insights into its origins. The use of huntite, a mineral that imparts a brilliant white sheen to the fabric, further strengthens this connection. Both cotton and huntite were native to Persia, not Greece, suggesting a strong link between the two regions. This places the garment’s creation after Alexander’s conquest of Persia.
The use of purple dye, specifically the rare and expensive Tyrian purple, was restricted to the highest-ranking royalty. The tunic, identified as a sarapis, features a distinctive white stripe down the center, a design exclusively worn by Persian kings. Alexander the Great, having conquered Persia and defeated Darius III (not Darius II), adopted this royal attire.
A frieze in Tomb II depicts a figure, likely Alexander, hunting in a purple sarapis with two white stripes. This, along with other relics like a golden oak wreath found in Tomb II, aligns with historical accounts, further supporting the conclusion that the tunic belonged to Alexander the Great .
A debate put to rest
A garment of such immense value would likely have been inherited by a close family member. After Alexander’s death, the Macedonian army crowned his half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, as king. He likely inherited Alexander’s possessions, including the royal tunic and scepter, and brought them back to Greece , as per The Greek Reporter .
This new study provides answers to lingering questions surrounding the Royal Tombs of Vergina. It confirms that Alexander the Great was not buried there. Instead, Tomb I holds the remains of Philip II, his wife Cleopatra, and their newborn child.
Based on royal symbols and osteological data, Tomb II contains the remains of King Philip III Arrhidaeus and his wife Adea Eurydice, while Alexander IV is buried in Tomb III.
The discovery of this precious tunic provides valuable insights into Persian influence on the Macedonian royal court. So, it might even open up a new avenue of research into royal clothing, LBV concluded .
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