2,100-year-old female skeleton found on ‘mermaid’s bed’

In northern Greece, in the town of Kozani, archaeologists have discovered a mysterious tomb, in which a female skeleton is lying on a “mermaid’s bed”. This ancient burial would date from more than 2,000 years ago.

In the town of Kozani, in northern Greece, a female skeleton was found in lignite mines. According to archaeologists, she would have lived in the first century BC, more than 2,000 years ago! Lying on a bronze bed decorated with mermaids, the woman gate a headdress of laurels of gold, in addition to holding gold threads, probably from ancient embroideries. Everything seems to indicate that she had great wealth or high social status, even a royal family.

2,100-Year-Old Skeleton of Greek Woman Found Lying on Bronze ‘Mermaid Bed’ https://t.co/uo2RTjBQsU#greece#greek#greekcitytimespic.twitter.com/DqVRGnQUvD

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A high religious symbol

In addition to mermaids, the bed contains other motifs, such as the head of a bird holding a serpent in its mouth: it was the symbol of greek god apollo, god of arts and beauty. During ancient Greece, the veneration of the gods took a special place, especially for burials. The funeral rites indeed followed a very specific sequence, all with the aim of sending the soul of the deceased to the gods. The excavated grave also contains various artefacts, such as four pots in clay and a glass container. The precise meaning of each object remains uncertain at this time.

The death of this woman, buried alone, remains for the moment a mystery to be elucidated: at what age did she die, and for what reasons? This is what archaeologists intend to determine later, by studying his skeleton, which currently rests in the Archaeological Museum of Aiani, Greece.

Successfully dating it would be crucial in associating a story with the mysterious woman, as many events changed the context around Kozani during the first two centuries BCE. Especially the big battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. J.-C., who opposed Julius Caesar and his troops to those of Pompey! This resulted in the defeat of Greece against the Roman Republic, which had already sacked the cities of Corinth and Athens.