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Archaeologists stunned over 'lost city' linked to Alexander the Great's ancestors

Archaeologists believe they have unveiled the remnants of an ancient metropolis in North Macedonia, once inhabited by ancestors of the legendary Alexander the Great. Believed to be Lyncus—the capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis vanquished by King Philip II, the father of Alexander, in 358 BC—the site near Crnobuki was previously thought to be a Roman military frontier post since its discovery in 1966. It wasn't until recent surveys in 2023 revealed an expansive acropolis spanning over seven acres and an assortment of artifacts , including pottery, coins, and what is believed to be a clay theater ticket, predating the Romans. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'dumbest president' after six-word geography confession The site was originally thought to be a military outpost (Image: (Image: Image courtesy of Cal Poly Humboldt)) It was the excavation of a coin, minted within Alexander the Great's era between 325 and 323 BC, that particularly sparked curiosity. Now, a new group of experts from North Macedonia's Institute and Museum-Bitola along with California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt have launched a thorough excavation, unearthing a settlement both larger and more ancient than previously understood. Engin Nasuh, curator-advisor archaeologist at the National Institute and Museum-Bitola, expressed that the elusive city of Lyncus could shine light on Macedonian society prior to Alexander's reign. "We're only beginning to scratch the surface of what we can learn about this period," he said, hinting at the vast historical insights just waiting to be uncovered. Archaeologists have come to believe that the city was first settled by humans in the Bronze Age, between 3,300 and 1,200 BC, suggesting that findings at the site could illuminate aspects of ancient Western civilization. Archeologists say the city is home to Alexander the Great's ancestors (Image: (Image: Image courtesy of Cal Poly Humboldt)) "It is a civilisation that played a major role in today's understanding of the world and the desire to connect different civilisations and cultures," stated Mr Nasuh. "This discovery is significant," remarked Nick Angeloff, an archaeologist and Anthropology professor at California Poly Humboldt. "It highlights the complex networks and power structures of ancient Macedonia, especially given the city's location along trade routes to Constantinople. "It's even possible that historical figures like Octavian and Agrippa passed through the area on their way to confront Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium." The city is also suspected to be the birthplace of Queen Eurydice I, Alexander the Great's grandmother, who had a profound impact on the political scene of the region. "All these studies are just a small part of the research of early European civilisations," Mr Nasuh further commented. "I see it as a large mosaic, and our studies are just a few pebbles in that mosaic. With each subsequent study, a new pebble is placed, until one day we get the entire picture."