Posted on 09/22/2010 6:16:18 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Greek archaeologists on Thursday announced the discovery of 37 ancient tombs dating back to the iron age in a cemetery near the ancient Macedonian capital of Pellas.
Discoveries at the site included a bronze helmet with a gold mouthplate, with weapons and jewellery, in the tomb of a warrior from the 6th century BC.
A total of 37 new tombs were discovered during excavation work this year, adding to more than 1,000 tombs since work began in 2000, researchers said.
The tombs date from 650-280 BC, covering the iron age up to the Hellenistic period (323-146 BC).
The tombs contain iron swords, spears and daggers, plus vases, pottery and jewellery made of gold, silver and iron.
According to the researchers, the excavated area only represents five percent of the total site.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A handout photo shows a warrior's bronze helmet with gold mouth protector dated to the 6th century BC, found at the west cementary in Archontiko Pellas, northern Greece. Greek archaeologists on Thursday announced the discovery of 37 ancient tombs dating back to the iron age in a cemetery near the ancient Macedonian capital of Pellas. (AFP/HO)
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It sure would be nice to see something about this on History Channel. You know, instead of the shows about UFOs, 2012 Doomsday Prophecies, Nostradamus, and high fructose corn syrup.
I wonder if the mouth protector was something they actually wore in battle? Looks like something used post death.
Hey, Sunk? Would you add me to your ping list? I always find this stuff fascinating! Thanks! :-)
Greek ping!
What, you don’t like the Hitler marathons either?
Those are my ancestors’ graves. I’m feeling the need for some reparations.
Those shows on high fructose corn syrup are dealbreakers — way too fringe for my tastes. ;’)
It was a bite-down to give some protection to the mouth (a good place for a spear to go, once in, it goes all the way in without much guidance; there’s a description of such a death in the Iliad) and throat. The gold may indeed be for grave goods only, but gold has to taste better than bronze any day of the week, and after the sack of Persepolis, Alexander became the wealthiest man in the world.
There’s a recent FR topic regarding the use of linen armor by Alexander’s troops, which would have been much cooler to wear than leather, and may have worked better as well.
Good luck establishing a paper trail. :’)
You’re on! :’) I FReepmailed the regular info.
Tombs are all about the living ...honoring those who have served and died is done to keep the society in tact as worthwhile. That reality seems so poignant when these forgotten tombs are opened.
Fascinating.
Gold is a relatively soft metal. It wouldn’t offer as much protection as iron. It’s also a very heavy metal, more than twice as dense as iron. And rare.
The ones wearing gold must have been the upper crust, the important people of the day.
Especially gold. Gold won't protect from much of anything. It's too soft.
Please add me to your ping list for GGG.
The archaeological site of Pella. Prehistoric cemetery yields evidence of an Early Bronze Age
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