The death of Alexander of Macedon in 323 BC. gave rise to one of the largest mysteries in archeology. Until now, researchers are debating about where the legendary commander was actually buried, putting forward a variety of versions about the location of his grave - from Macedonia to Egypt.

Over the years of search, the tomb of Alexander Makendonsky acquired an almost mythical status, which for many years captivates many archaeologists.

But are there any progress in search of a tomb of the great commander? Kalliop Limneus-Papacost, director and founder of the Greek Research Institute of Alexandrian civilization, who currently excavations in Alexandria in Egypt believes that it is close to the goal.

According to the researcher, the tomb of Tsar Alexander can be hidden under the streets of modern Alexandria, at the intersection of two ancient highways. The intriguing Hellenistic statue and other signs of ancient quarters of the suitable period indicate a very promising place.

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One of the reasons why the tomb has not yet been found is that Alexander’s body was moved, and therefore he was buried more than once.

In addition, historical records of the tomb are scarce and were often written hundreds of years after the events described in them. Each of these sources had a political agenda or bias, says Paul Cartlay, Honored Professor of Greek Culture of Cambridge University.

The difficulty is aggravated by the fact that there are no clear images of the tomb that could serve as a guideline for archaeological searches, adds a professor of Greek culture of Cambridge University Sanders.

Finally, the modern city of Alexandria was largely built on top of the original.

" For example, during the construction of new houses, an antique theater was discovered. Catacombs were also found, ”experts say.

To find a tomb, archaeologists would have to dig out places where people live and work today, and this is not easy to do without good evidence that there is something important underground.

The ancient Egyptian philosopher Plutarch wrote that Alexander Macedonian died at the age of 32, June 10-11, 323 BC. In Babylon (modern Iraq).

Among the causes of the death of the commander are called typhoid, malaria, poisoned wine, while others claim that an attempt was committed on him.

Regardless of what was killed by Alexander, his body was mummified. Ptolemy I Soter, the Macedonian Greek commander, who was a close friend and bodyguard Alexander, played an important role in moving the body.

" From there, for two years, the body was supposed to overcome almost 1,600 kilometers to Egypt, ”says Cartlayer.

Ptolemy had his own goal: Alexander did not leave a clear political heir (although his wife Roxanne was pregnant with his son, and he could have an illegitimate heir), and the construction of the tomb for Alexander was a way to consolidate Ptolemy's position as a legal premper of the Macedonian king, says Cartlay Cardlay said.

Alexander’s body was sent to Egypt - to the valley of kings near Luxor, where many pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried, and at that time the recently founded city of Alexandria was built.

" The grave of Alexander would become a kind of “crown” for the city under construction, ”the historian believes.

Several decades later, the Greek geographer Strabo said that Ptolemy IV Philopator, the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemyevsky Egypt and the great -grandson of Ptolemy I, transferred the body of Alexander to his last documented place of repose: Soma, the great Mausoleum of Alexandria.

The tomb of the king was still there 300 years later, when the first Roman emperor Augustus (rules from 27 BC. for 14 years n. ) visited Alexandria. After that, the tomb is not mentioned in historical records for hundreds of years.

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It was these gaps in historical records that became the basis for speculation and conspiracy theories.

Professor Sonders considers such gaps in history quite strange.

" What happened during this time? "

For hundreds of years, the tomb of Alexander the Great was a place of pilgrimage in the ancient Mediterranean world, and then its location was not a secret.

So it is quite possible that no one worked hard to describe the location of the tomb, because everyone knew where it was located. In addition, there may be rivalry between Christians, flowing to the tomb of Christ, and the Gentiles who worshiped the tomb of Alexander. Therefore, as soon as Christianity prevailed, the Church Fathers may have “made sure that the traces of the tombs were removed/damaged/destroyed, so that the tomb of Christ became the main center of pilgrimage in the ancient world,” Sauders suggests.

Limneos-Papacosta believes that the whereabouts of the tomb could be lost during the Alexandria Crusade of 1365, which ruined the city, although no historical notes indicate that the tomb or body was destroyed, the scientist says. However, one of the versions is associated with the cult of worship that arose around Alexander the Great. Although he allegedly faded thousands of years ago, people could remain in Alexandria who, during the Crusade, felt obligated to defend the remains of Alexander from arriving crusaders who despised the worship of pagan gods.

" He was considered God, and they tried to protect him when they realized that Christians were preparing for the destruction of the city. I believe that they hid his body and sarcophagus, ”the researcher says.

Since the last well-known place of the rest of Alexander of Macedonia was in Alexandria, most researchers agree that his tomb was most likely hidden somewhere in the Egyptian city. But where exactly in Alexandria is a question.

Limneo-papacosta has one theory. During excavations in 2009, she discovered the sculpture of Tsar Alexander. According to Limneus-Papacosts, topographic maps and ancient sources indicate that the place where the statue was found is located near the place where its tomb was once located, and since then its team has been excavations in this area..

For example, Cartlay assumes that the body of Alexander the Great should be in a large mausoleum, which was part of the royal complex. At the same time, he believes that the royal chambers were located in a completely different place, and not where the Limneo-Papacosta is looking for.

" Why is Alexander Mausoleum not visible? The simple answer is that the Alexandrian Brueum (quarter in Alexandria), where the royal chambers were located, adjoined the sea, ”the expert says.

Over time, the sea level rose by several meters, so most of the historical city, including the royal quarters, probably were under water.

In recent years, the divers studied the coastal line of the city and found fragments that may belong to ancient structures.

But even if the mausoleum is found, there is no guarantee that the body will be inside.

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Sonders believes that the tomb is still on land, most likely under the noisy streets of modern Mazarit-the area that was once the center of the ancient city and in which its palaces were located.

" It is simply unthinkable for me that the tomb can be somewhere else, ”Saunders notes.

Others are of the opinion that the tomb of Alexander the Great could be discovered by accident, and not within the framework of large -scale archaeological excavations.