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After Decades Of Mystery, Scientists Use Advanced Aerial Scan Technology, Revealing Millennia-Old Urban Structures In European Territory With Possible Direct Link To The Lineage Of One Of The Greatest Conquerors Of Antiquity.
A forgotten city for centuries may finally have been identified by archaeologists in North Macedonia — and the most intriguing part: it may be directly linked to the paternal grandmother of Alexander the Great.
Using the same laser technology applied in excavations in the Amazon rainforest, scientists were able to map traces of an ancient city called Lyncus, which was said to be the capital of the extinct kingdom of Lyncestis.
The discovery, if confirmed by new analyses, could reveal not only the location of an important urban center of antiquity but also shed light on the origins of the lineage of one of the greatest conquerors of the ancient world.
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The research was conducted by a team from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (USA), in partnership with the Bitola Museum in North Macedonia.
Cutting-Edge Technology And Millennium-Old History
The significant breakthrough came through the use of LiDAR — short for Light Detection and Ranging — a system that uses laser beams launched by drones or planes to map minimal variations in the terrain.
This same method has been widely used by Brazilian researchers to reveal hidden cities and roads beneath the dense vegetation of the Amazon.
In the European case, archaeologists applied LiDAR in 2023 to examine a site known since 1966, which had been incorrectly interpreted for decades as a simple military post from the post-Alexander period.
However, the images generated by the lasers revealed the presence of a much more complex structure: a true city, with an acropolis, streets, workshops, and traces of public buildings.
Link To The Royal Family Of Macedonia
If the evidence is confirmed, this city would be the birthplace of Eurydice I, mother of Philip II and grandmother of Alexander the Great.
The monarch played a significant role in the political formation of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, and her origin in Lyncus is mentioned by ancient chroniclers.
The existence of Lyncus was recorded by ancient historians, but its location remained a mystery for centuries.
The city was part of the kingdom of Lyncestis, which was later incorporated into Macedonia under Philip II’s rule.
This makes the discovery especially important for understanding the political and cultural structure of the region in the centuries leading up to Alexander’s rise.
Finds That Surprised The Scientists
During recent excavations, the team found artifacts dating from different periods, including:
- Fragments of pottery
- Bronze axes
- Coins minted between 325 BC and 355 BC, corresponding to the life of Alexander
- A textile workshop
- A clay theater ticket
- A lamp reconstructed from fragments found at the site
The diversity and sophistication of the objects suggest that the city was economically active and culturally developed, much beyond what was expected for a simple military outpost.
Evidence Of The Bronze Age
In addition to artifacts from the classical period, archaeologists identified evidence of human occupation much older, dating back to the Bronze Age — between 3300 BC and 1200 BC.
This indicates that the site may have been continuously inhabited for millennia, further enhancing its historical relevance.
The discovery reinforces the hypothesis that Lyncus not only existed as a structured city, but played a central role in the cultural formation of Ancient Macedonia.
City Revealed After More Than 2,000 Years Of Silence
Although the archaeological site has been known for nearly six decades, it was only in recent years, with technological advancements, that scientists were able to see beyond the obvious.
The previous interpretation was limited to military ruins from after Alexander’s time.
LiDAR allowed for a deeper and more detailed reading of the terrain, revealing traces of a much more complex urbanization.
The acropolis found covers about seven hectares, indicating a noble area intended for temples or residences of important figures of the time.
Additionally, the traces of roads and buildings suggest urban planning — something common in city-states of Ancient Greece and their Balkan neighbors.
Pending Publication, But Exploration Continues
So far, the discoveries have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which is essential for official validation by the academic community.
However, the scientists involved in the project have already shared part of the results through institutional communications and plan to deepen the excavations in the coming months.
The expectation is that new phases of the project will bring more evidence about the city’s past and its possible connection to the Macedonian dynasty.
Implications For Ancient History
For scholars of antiquity, the rediscovery of Lyncus may fill gaps about the origins of the Macedonian nobility and the familial ties of Alexander the Great.
Queen Eurydice I, who was said to have been born at the site, is often mentioned as one of the most influential female figures in the Macedonian court, although her story is poorly documented.
If confirmed, the find also reinforces the importance of technology in modern archaeology, showing how tools like LiDAR can recover fundamental pieces of human history, even after millennia.
A New Era For Balkan Archaeology?
With the advancement of research, North Macedonia may become a new hub of interest for archaeologists and tourists interested in the history of antiquity, especially in the trajectory of Alexander the Great.
The rediscovery of Lyncus could pave the way for new projects and revelations about one of the most fascinating periods of Western civilization.
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