Archaeologists from Humboldt University in California believe they have discovered the ruins of Lyncus, the lost capital of the ancient kingdom of Lynxestes.
The team is currently working at the archaeological site of Gradishte, in the municipality of Bitola, North Macedonia.
The Jradišt site has been under study for more than 15 years by an international team of experts. In 2023, researchers used ground-penetrating radar and a drone equipped with a LiDAR scanner, enabling them to reveal features of the ancient city, including the acropolis (the upper fortified part) and a Macedonian-style theater.
The city was initially believed to have been founded during the reign of King Philip V (221-179 BC). However, the discovery of coins dating back to 325-323 BC suggests an earlier date, dating back to the time of Alexander the Great. Other finds, such as stone axes and pottery shards, indicate that the area was inhabited since the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BC).
Professor Nick Angelov, Professor of Anthropology at Humboldt University, explained that this discovery is of great importance as it sheds light on the complex networks and power structures in ancient Macedonia, particularly given the city's strategic location on trade routes leading to Constantinople.
Professor Angelov hypothesized that this city may have been Lynxus, the capital of the kingdom of Lynxes, whose name means "Land of the Lynx" in ancient Greek. This kingdom in Upper Macedonia maintained its independence until the fourth century BC, when it was conquered by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. It is worth noting that Eurydice, the grandmother of Alexander the Great, was born in Lynxus.
Researchers hope to uncover more information about the city's planning and the region's culture, as well as the role of the Kingdom of Lyncestes in shaping the Macedonian state, one of the oldest organized states in Europe.