Archaeologist links graves excavated in northern Greece with ancient kings of Macedonia
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}March 13, 2014: An architecture student checks a drawing on the steps of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The 125-year old Archaeological Museum is the biggest in Greece, displaying more than 11,000 artifacts from Neolithic to Roman times. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A Greek archaeologist says she has discovered 20 new burials near Macedonia's ancient capital in northern Greece, and some could tentatively be associated with the early Macedonian kings.
Excavator Angeliki Kottaridi says two of the poorly preserved graves excavated in a cemetery between 2012-2013 "might perhaps be linked" with Alexander I and his son, Perdiccas II.
Both reigned in the 5th century B.C., a century before the most famous ancient Macedonian king, Alexander III the Great.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a statement Thursday, Kottaridi said the graves at Vergina — believed to be ancient Aegae — were looted and largely dismantled in antiquity. Surviving finds included vases and a sword.
A rich burial excavated decades ago at Vergina has been linked with Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, although many experts disagree.