The graves of 20 warriors have been dug up in Pella, Alexander the Great’s birthplace. Among the findings are bronze helmets, iron swords and knives.

In northern Greece, at the site of Pella, archaeologists have discovered 43 graves rich in archaeological material, according to the Daily Mail. Buried there are 20 warriors in bronze helmets, iron swords and knives. Their eyes and mouths have been covered in gold foil decorated with lions and other animals symbolizing royal power.

The bodies were dated to the late Archaic Period between 580 BC and 460BC, hundreds of years before Alexander rose and forged the largest empire the ancient world has ever seen.

At that time the Greek army fought in a phalanx formation. Equipped with a bronze spear, a short sword known as the zyphos, as well as bronze body armor and a wooden shield known as the hoplon, they were the elite fighting force of the Archaic period.

Alexander the Great’s father, king Filip II had reorganized the Macedonian army. Now the spears were much longer and the armor reinforced. The phalanx formation was very compact and slow but practically impenetrable.

After Filip II, who united the Greek city-states, was assassinated in 336 BC, his son Alexander took the army and completed the conquest of Egypt, Anatolia, Syria, Gaza and the whole Persian Empire, advancing as far as India.

Scientists say that the graves found at Pella are evidence of an ancient Macedonian martial society. Among the graves, archaeologists have found 11 women dating from the Archaic period that were buried with gold and bronze necklaces, earrings and brooches, informs News International. These findings suggest that the defunct are of a high social status.

According to the scientists, nine of the graves have been dated at the beginning of the Hellenistic period, at the time of Alexander’s death.

Specialists say that the discovery is imperious for Macedonian culture and very valuable for ancient Greek military history.

Tags: alexander the great, archaeology, greece, hoplite, hoplon, macedonian, military history, pella, phalanx