Aristotle’s 2,400 year old tomb discovered in Greece

A two-decade long excavation at the ancient city of Stagira in Central Macedonia has led to the discovery of the tomb of Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle, the archaeologists responsible for the discovery announced today at the Aristotle 2400 Years World Congress.

According to Greek Reporter, it was previously believed that the philosopher, who was born in Stagira in 384 BC, was buried in Chalcis, Evia, where he died in 322 BC. Now, though, Kostas Sismanidis and his fellow archaeologists have said that they are certain that the tomb  at the Macedonian site belongs to Aristotle.

“I have no hard proof, but strong indications lead me to almost certainty,” Sismanidis previously told Sigmalive, adding that the tomb’s location, the period during which it was first built and the other evidence indicates that the tomb was erected to hold Aristotle’s remains, which were taken from Chalcis and returned to his birthplace, literary sources indicate.

Tomb had been built quickly, then improved later, archaeolgists say

The tomb itself was constructed near the center of Stagira and had a marble floor that dated back to the Hellenistic period, Greek Reporter said. There is evidence that it was initially built quickly and then improved with higher quality materials, the website noted, and was up to ten meters tall.

In addition, there is an altar on the outside of the tomb, as well as a Byzantine tower surrounded by a square floor and a semi-circular wall that is two-meters tall, the website added. A pathway that leads to the tomb was constructed for those wishing to come and pay their respects, and the tomb also contained ceramics from the royal pottery workshops and dozens of ancient coins.

Aristotle, who was a pupil of fellow Greek philosopher Plato, “is regarded as the first genuine scientist in human history,” according to Raw Story. During his life, he made “significant and seminal contributions to biology, physics and zoology, and he also influenced thousands of years of thought in aesthetics, metaphysics, linguistics, government and poetry,” the website added. “He tutored Alexander the Great, who spread Greek philosophy to Africa and the Middle East.”

The Aristotle 2400 Years World Congress started on Monday and will run through May, and the event is being held at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, according to the ANSA. The conference is part of a multidisciplinary effort to emphasize the impact that Aristotle had on science, philosphy and other areas of human culture, explained Demetra Sfendoni-Mentzou, the president of the Interdisciplinary Center for Aristotle Studies in Thessaloniki.

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All images credit of GreekReporter

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