Aristotle, one of the most widely respected philosophers and scientists in ancient Greece, died because of natural causes in 322 B.C.
Thousands of years later, the Greek philosopher is still revered today for his contribution to many fields, including literature, logic, physics and biology, among many others.
Now, commemorating the 2,400th year anniversary of Aristotle's death, a Greek archaeologist has claimed that they may have discovered the philosopher's ancient burial place located in the same place the man was born — in Stagira, Macedonia.
Is It Aristotle's Tomb?
Archaeologist Kostas Sismanidis and his team of scientists have been working painstakingly at the alleged site of Aristotle's burial place for 20 years.
In the late 1990s, Sismanidis managed to excavate the birthplace of the philosopher and found a destroyed structure: a domed vault. This vault may have been Aristotle's tomb.
Sismanidis announced the possible discovery in an address at a conference in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Although Sismanidis concedes that he has no hard proof that it is the Greek philosopher's tomb, he says strong indications lead him to near certainty.
According to him, the domed vault was a shrine built in Aristotle's honor after his death. Sismanidis says this suggests that this was the tomb.
Additionally, aside from the structure, archaeologists also found the altar, which is mentioned in ancient texts, as well as the road that leads to the tomb, which was close to the city's ancient marketplace inside the city settlement.
Again, although the evidence of who was buried in the tomb is still circumstantial, there are several characteristics that provide clues that would help archaeologists unravel the mystery.
These characteristics include the location, the panoramic view and the time of the tomb's construction — estimated to be during the very start of the Hellenistic period, which began after the death of Aristotle's most prominent student Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.
Sismanidis says all of these clues point to the conclusion that the remains of the structure were part of what once was the tomb-shrine of Aristotle.
Meanwhile, the claim was accepted by the culture ministry of Greece.
Aristides Baltas, a senior aide to the culture minister, says the academic community is still awaiting further details. He says a group of archaeologists with no connection to any school or department are currently working on the site.
"What we know is that their excavation has been meticulous," adds Baltas.
