In the summer of 2024, researchers from Cal Poly Humboldt journeyed to North Macedonia to take part in an excavation. (CREDIT: Cal Poly Humboldt)
Beneath the soil near the village of Crnobuki in North Macedonia, a city long lost to history is beginning to emerge. Once believed to be a Roman-era military outpost, recent discoveries are reshaping the narrative of this site now known as Gradishte. It is unveiling itself as a potentially significant city in early European history.
Thanks to fresh excavations and advanced technology, scholars now speculate that this city predates the Roman Empire by centuries, perhaps even millennia. Once dismissed as a mere fortress on the outskirts of Roman influence, Gradishte is now believed to be the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis and possibly the birthplace of Queen Eurydice I, grandmother of Alexander the Great.
Although first referenced in literature in 1966, details about Gradishte remained scarce until recent years. Through meticulous excavation and innovative tools like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and ground-penetrating radar, the true extent of the site has slowly unfolded.
In 2023, a joint research team from North Macedonia’s Institute and Museum–Bitola and Cal Poly Humboldt unearthed the foundations of a sprawling acropolis spanning over seven acres. This layout confirmed that Gradishte was not merely a defensive structure but a fully developed urban center.
Cal Poly Humboldt’s archaeologist and anthropology professor, Nick Angeloff, hailed the find as a “once-in-a-lifetime discovery.” He emphasized that the acropolis was designed to safeguard an entire populace, indicating the presence of a city within its walls. The team’s use of technology also led them to believe they had identified a Macedonian-style theater at the site.
Among the discoveries, a coin minted between 325 and 323 BCE during Alexander the Great’s era stands out. This find pushed the city’s origins back over a century earlier than previously believed, challenging the assumption that it was built during King Philip V’s reign.
The recovered artifacts, including stone tools, ceramic fragments, game pieces, and a rare clay theater ticket, suggest that Gradishte was not only contemporary with Alexander the Great but also a vibrant cultural hub of its time.
The ancient site in Crnobuki, North Macedonia, may have been settled as far back as the Bronze Age, between 3,300 and 1,200 BCE. Carbon dating of bones and charcoal found at the site indicates its use between 360 BCE and 670 AD, showcasing the city’s enduring influence from pre-Roman times to the early medieval period. Archaeologists and student researchers are meticulously uncovering artifacts that illuminate the city’s history and significance in the ancient world. This discovery sheds light on the complex networks and power structures of ancient Macedonia, particularly its strategic location along trade routes to Constantinople.
Some historians speculate that prominent military figures like Octavian and Agrippa may have traversed this city en route to confront Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium, underscoring its pivotal role in broader world history. As more artifacts are unearthed, the theory that this site was the capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis gains credibility. Historical records suggest that Queen Eurydice I, Alexander the Great’s grandmother, may have hailed from here, influencing the trajectory of Macedonia towards empire.
Excavated in 2024, a seed processing area with ancient milling equipment and upside-down ceramic vessels was discovered, dating back to the early Bronze Age, approximately 4,000 years old. This finding further supports the notion that this could be the lost city of Lyncus, within Lyncestis, where significant historical figures once resided.
Engin Nasuh, curator-advisor archaeologist at the National Institute and Museum–Bitola, emphasizes the profound impact of the ancient Macedonian civilization on global history, fostering connections between diverse civilizations and cultures. Ongoing excavations at the site, undertaken by teams from the National Institute and Cal Poly Humboldt, unveil the city’s rich heritage and potential for further revelations.
Employing cutting-edge technology like LiDAR, researchers have delved beneath thick vegetation and soil, unveiling hidden structures that offer insights into the city’s layout and infrastructure. This innovative approach has transformed the excavation process, highlighting the city’s grandeur and its integral role in the ancient Macedonian network of cities that laid the foundation for future civilizations.
The text highlights the role of ongoing research in piecing together the history of early European civilizations. The speaker sees these studies as small contributions to a larger mosaic, with each new discovery adding another piece to the puzzle. Although the mosaic is still incomplete, the uncovering of artifacts like coins, pottery, and structures is shedding light on the ancient world of Macedonia. This rediscovery is not just about one city but about a forgotten civilization. The article was sourced from The Brighter Side of News. For more uplifting stories like this, sign up for their newsletter.
