New grave monuments found at Aigai

 Macedonia funerary monuments found at Aigai
http://www.archaiologia.gr/en/blog/2013/03/21/new-finds-at-aigai/

Elaborate Macedonian Tombs were unearthed which is leading to new theories on how this culture evolved. Three tombs were uncovered which highlighted burial styles of the Macedonian time period. Both human and animal remains were discovered within the tombs; fifteen horses and several dogs were found.  Also found were a dozen adults and the remains of infants and toddlers. The remains that have been recovered indicate that they must have been added to the empty and destroyed grave well after its primary use. Shards of pottery, tiles and pieces of marble funerary stele were found among the bodies. A magic scroll known as katadesmos was also found. The condition that both the bodies and pottery fragments were found in suggests that they were thrown into the tomb all at once. These findings imply that the remains found were mostly likely the result of tragic incident. Connections have been made with the study of pottery and bronze coins that point to the destruction of Aigai by the Romans in Pydna that led to the fall of the Macedonian Kingdom. The tombs that have been found have indications that they were violently looted. There were some grave goods that were uncovered that made it past the looters. A part of a gold shield was found which depicted fighting warriors, a golden oak was also found and there was also evidence of a golden wreath, which led to the suggestion that the deceased was man. There were also a number of golden discs recovered with the characteristics of the Macedonian empire that survived the looting. These findings help piece together how the Macedonians built grave structures. It also sheds light on a tragedy that fell upon this city and its people during in a time of warfare and cultural destruction. 

site: http://www.archaiologia.gr/en/blog/2013/03/21/new-finds-at-aigai/