The death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E. marked the end of one of history’s most extraordinary figures, yet it sparked a mystery that has baffled historians and archaeologists for centuries. Despite being one of the most influential leaders of the ancient world, the final resting place of Alexander the Great remains shrouded in uncertainty. Although historical records suggest that he was initially buried in Memphis before being moved to Alexandria, the exact location of his tomb has been lost to time. This enigma has inspired countless theories and expeditions, each promising to uncover the truth, yet the tomb of Alexander the Great remains elusive.
Archaeologist Liana Souvaltzi has been confident Alexander the Great’s tomb is in the Siwa Oasis in Egypt since the mid-1980s.
The Mysterious Death and Burial of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, the young Macedonian king whose conquests reshaped the ancient world, met a sudden and mysterious death in Babylon at the age of 32. The cause of his demise is still debated, with theories ranging from malaria and typhoid fever to poisoning. After his death, Alexander’s body was embalmed and transported to Egypt, where it was initially entombed in Memphis. However, around 300 B.C.E., his remains were moved to Alexandria, a city he founded and which would become one of the greatest cultural centers of the ancient world. Despite the significance of his burial, the exact location of Alexander’s tomb has been lost, giving rise to a host of theories and speculations.
Though experts aren’t sure where Alexander the Great was buried, most agree that his lost tomb sits somewhere in Alexandria.
Theories and Discoveries: Searching for the Lost Tomb
Over the centuries, numerous scholars and archaeologists have attempted to solve the mystery of Alexander’s tomb. One of the most notable theories was proposed by Liana Souvaltzi, an archaeologist who has believed since the mid-1980s that Alexander’s tomb is located in the Siwa Oasis in Egypt. Souvaltzi’s excavations uncovered what she claims is a royal Hellenistic tomb, complete with inscriptions and carvings that she believes reference the burial of Alexander by his general, Ptolemy I Soter. Despite her confidence, political tensions between Greece and Egypt have stalled further exploration, leaving the theory unproven.
Souvaltiz believes Alexander’s tomb is contained in the ruins of this ancient fortification in Siwa, Egypt.
Another intriguing theory comes from Dr. Andrew Michael Chugg, author of The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great. Chugg suggests that Alexander’s tomb might have originally been located near Memphis in a temple built by Pharaoh Nectanbo II. According to Chugg, the tomb was later moved, and his body may have been mistakenly identified as that of Saint Mark by Venetian merchants, who then transported it to Venice. Chugg’s theory gained traction when a piece of masonry in Venice was found to match the dimensions of a sarcophagus linked to Alexander in the British Museum. This evidence has led some to speculate that Alexander’s remains may be hidden in plain sight in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice.
A rendering of Augustus visiting the tomb of Alexander the Great in Alexandria.
The Ongoing Quest for a Lost Legacy
Dr. Andrew Chugg believes the sarcophagus of Nectanbo II, in London’s British Museum, holds the real clues to the true location of Alexander’s remains.
The search for Alexander the Great’s tomb is not just a quest to uncover a historical relic; it is a journey into the heart of one of history’s most enduring mysteries. Despite numerous promising leads, the final resting place of the great conqueror remains undiscovered, a tantalizing puzzle for archaeologists and historians alike. As new theories emerge and old ones are re-examined, the world waits in anticipation for the day when this ancient enigma might finally be solved. Until then, the tomb of Alexander the Great remains the holy grail of archaeological discoveries, a symbol of the enduring allure of the ancient world.