Skeleton found in Alexander-era tomb may solve Greek mystery

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered bones from a skeleton deep inside a chamber linked to Alexander the Great which could solve the mystery of who was buried there.

The Culture Ministry said the bones were found strewn in an inner chamber around a rectangular stone-lined cist, under the floor of the cavernous, vaulted structure that is eight metres tall.

The skeleton had initially been placed in a wooden coffin that rotted away, leaving behind the nails that held it together and some carved ivory and glass ornaments.

The ministry said the remains were clearly those of "a powerful personality, which can be seen from this unique tomb", with speculation rife that it could be that of Roxana, Alexander's Persian wife, his mother Olympias, or one of his generals. The skeleton would now "be studied by researchers".

During the three-month long excavation near ancient Amphipolis, 600km north of Athens, Greek archaeologists uncovered the three-chamber tomb decorated with marble statues of sphinxes and young women, and a large mosaic pavement.

"It is an extremely expensive construction, whose cost, clearly, is unlikely to have been borne by a private citizen," the ministry said.

Excavator Katerina Peristeri said the occupant was probably some "outstanding personality, a great general" who later enjoyed hero worship.