The tomb of Alexander the Great's best friend has a surprising solar orientation

When Alexander the Great 's closest friend, Hephaestion , died in October 324 BC, he shaved his head, canceled all festivities, and crucified the doctor who had treated his friend. His tomb was discovered in 2012, and excavations began in 2014. Now, a recent study suggests that it is intentionally aligned with the winter solstice. This archaeological research sheds new light on how funerary monuments were conceived in ancient times , linking them to astronomical phenomena that held deep symbolic and religious significance.

The tomb in question was discovered in the ancient city of Vergina in northern Greece , a site renowned for its archaeological treasures related to the Macedonian dynasty. Researchers used laser scanning technology and topographical analysis to determine the monument's exact orientation, noting that the main structure points directly toward the spot where the sun sets on the winter solstice, Live Science reports.

This solar alignment doesn't appear to be accidental, but rather part of a carefully planned design . In the ancient world, the winter solstice represented the rebirth of light, a time when the days began to lengthen after the longest night of the year. Therefore, the orientation of the tomb could symbolize the hope for renewal and life after death, a common belief in many ancient cultures.

The orientation of the tomb could symbolize the hope for renewal and life after death.

Hephaestion, whose friendship with Alexander was comparable to that of two brothers, died prematurely, and his loss was deeply felt by the Macedonian conqueror. The construction of such a significant mausoleum and the attention paid to details such as its astronomical orientation reflect the importance of this personal relationship in Alexander's life, and how he wished to honor it with a worthy monument.

Archaeologists also emphasize that this discovery fits with other Macedonian and Hellenistic practices that linked funerary monuments with celestial events, a trend that reinforced the symbolic and political power of tombs by connecting them to the cosmos and natural cycles. This suggests that Hephaestion's mausoleum not only had a commemorative function, but also a ritual one.

Furthermore, the research opens up new lines of study on ancient funerary architecture and its relationship to astronomy. Although other tombs have been found with orientations related to solstices or equinoxes , few have the documentation and historical context that accompany this particular tomb, making this discovery especially relevant.

When Alexander the Great 's closest friend, Hephaestion , died in October 324 BC, he shaved his head, canceled all festivities, and crucified the doctor who had treated his friend. His tomb was discovered in 2012, and excavations began in 2014. Now, a recent study suggests that it is intentionally aligned with the winter solstice. This archaeological research sheds new light on how funerary monuments were conceived in ancient times , linking them to astronomical phenomena that held deep symbolic and religious significance.