Archaeologists Believe They’ve Discovered Aristotle’s 2,400-year-old Tomb in Macedonia

Archaeologists believe they’ve found Aristotle’s tomb in Stagira, a town in central Macedonia in northern Greece.

A team of researchers say the 2,400-year-old tomb was excavated as part of a 20-year exploration of the site of ancient Stagira, where one of the world’s greatest philosophers was born in 384 BC.

Aristotle is regarded as the one of the most important thinkers in the history of Western Civilization. He died in 322 BC at Chalcis, Evia, and was long believed to have been buried there.

However, archaeologists who are excavating Stagira are now certain the tomb they have found belonged to Aristotle, whose ashes could have been transferred there, according to two literary sources.

The tomb is a mounded dome about 32 feet high, with a marble floor dated to the Hellenistic period, reported the Greek Reporter website — which published several photos taken at the site.

It’s located in the center of Stagira, with sweeping 360-degree views, which signifies the importance of the location.

But archaeologists say evidence suggests the tomb was hastily constructed and later finished with higher quality materials.

The findings were presented at the ‘Aristotle 2,400 Years World Congress’ which is currently underway in Thessaloniki.

A pathway leads to the entrance of the tomb, which was destroyed by the Christian Byzantines, who built a tower on top of it, according to the archeologists who made the discovery.

Aristotle, who studied under the great philosopher Plato, is regarded as the first genuine scientist in human history.

His writings cover many subjects, including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, linguistics, politics and government.

He tutored Alexander the Great, who spread Greek philosophy to Africa and the Middle East.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica: ‘Aristotle was the first genuine scientist in history and every scientist is in his debt.’

A FACT FROM HISTORY:

Despite Aristotle’s greatness– one U.S. president took exception. In rare recordings of Richard Nixon, he referred to Aristotle as a “homo” during an anti-homosexual rant.