After 3,500 years, archeologists were able to uncover this shocking artifact in an untouched tomb. And while it may look like nothing to the average person, upon further inspection, what was discovered on the stone could change history as we know it.
Archeologists from the University of Cincinnati uncovered a treasure trove of discoveries at the tomb of the so-called “Griffin Warrior” near the ancient city of Pylos in southwest Greece. This powerful Mycenaean warrior was wealthy and buried with impressive pieces of armor, weapons, jewels, and other items.
But one discovery almost went unnoticed – an agate stone that could possibly rewrite history as we know it.
After years of legal issues with the Greek government restricted excavations, researchers were finally able to uncover what secrets this tomb had been hiding for centuries. The team discovered more than 3,000 objects arrayed on and around the warrior’s body including silver cups, gold rings, precious stone beads, fine-toothed ivory combs and weapons.
But perhaps most remarkable is a gemstone dating back to 1,500 BC which required careful restoration before any details could be revealed.
This agate stone featured two warriors engaged in battle with one fallen warrior at their feet; one bare-chested fighter plunging his blade into another’s neck while a second enemy lay dead on the ground. Named “Pylos Combat Agate” by researchers it has since become known as one of finest works ever found from prehistoric Greek art and may have depicted Homer’s Iliad between Trojans and Mycenaeans hundreds of years later.
Despite being only 3.6 centimeters or 1.4 inches wide some details are barely visible to the naked eye – less than 1/2 millimeter or 1/100th inch. How ancient craftsmen were able to carve such intricate designs using tools available during that time period is still baffling experts today who can only speculate as to how they achieved such perfection on such a tiny canvas without microscopes or magnifying glasses.
Professor Jack Davis from University Of Cincinnati’s Department of Classics said upon viewing it for first time “it’s brought some people to tears” due its incredible level detail put into each scene down to incredibly small features like ornamentation on shields and jewelry which would have been used as seal making impression in wax.
It shows just how advanced these craftspeople were despite living during Bronze Age showing their interest & ability representational art particularly movement and human anatomy far beyond what anyone thought possible.
With over 3 thousand objects yet examined who knows what else unearthed rewrite even more aspects history yet again?
