Recent excavations have uncovered 43 graves, including 20 of the warrior elite, from a site near Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in Northern Greece.

Their heroic character and the levels of wealth the Macedonia aristocracy enjoyed have been demonstrated by these awe-inspiring findings.

Theses finds include not only copper helmets, iron swords, daggers and spearheads, yet also the most intricate funerary masks. These ornate objects were made of a highly decorative golden foil, designed to cover the mouths, eyes and chest of the deceased warrior. A tantalising insight into what the ancient Macedonians believed about the after-life, as referred to by the Greek Ministry of Culture,

“The funerary use of [the gold ornaments] and the other grave goods points to a strong belief in life after death, and rebirth.”

915 graves have been uncovered over an eight year period at this site which is believed only to make up an extraordinarily small 5% of the ancient cemetery. All of these burial sites are thought to date between c.650 – 279 B.C.

These findings come after the recent discovery of another ancient treasure, a golden wreath, uncovered at the ruins of Aigai (modern Verghina). Both of these wonderful sites are visited on Andante Travel’s ‘Northern Greece, Epirus & Macedonia’ tour in autumn 2009.