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A team of anthropologists, headed by Gerhard Weber from the University of Vienna and joined by specialists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, has examined a skull discovered in Ephesos, Turkey, in 1929. For many years, there was speculation that this skull might belong to Arsinoë IV, the sister of the well-known Cleopatra. However, recent analyses have determined that it actually belongs to a boy aged between 11 and 14 who had certain developmental disorders. Genetic testing indicates that the boy likely originated from Italy or Sardinia. Findings will soon be available in Scientific Reports.
In 1929, Austrian archaeologist Josef Keil and his team uncovered a water-filled sarcophagus in the ruins of Ephesos’s “Octagon,” a notable structure along its main thoroughfare. While the sarcophagus contained no significant burial items, it did hold a complete skeleton. Keil took the skull for further investigation and left the tomb sealed at the prominent “Curetes Street” (Kuretenstraße). Initially analyzing the skull in Greifswald, Germany, he concluded it belonged to “a very distinguished person,” likely a 20-year-old woman. Later, when he moved to the University of Vienna, the skull accompanied him. In 1953, Josef Weninger, head of the Institute of Anthropology at the University of Vienna, published an article examining the skull, asserting that it represented a young woman of a “refined, specialized type,” hinting at a noble ancestry from ancient times.
Later excavations in 1982 brought forth the remaining skeleton, which was found not in the sarcophagus but in a niche of the burial chamber. Given that the Octagon’s architecture seemingly drew inspiration from the Egyptian “Pharos of Alexandria,” along with historical context revealing that Arsinoë IV was murdered in Ephesos around 41 BCE at Mark Antony’s behest, a theory emerged in 1990 positing that this grand tomb could belong to Arsinoë IV. This hypothesis has since sparked an array of reports and studies.
Use of Modern Techniques in Anthropology
The Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Vienna has seen significant growth and now employs nearly all modern methodologies in its research. Collaborating with geneticists, dating experts, orthodontists from the same university, and archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, they began a comprehensive study of the skull.
The research commenced with micro-computed tomography scanning the skull, creating a digital copy at an astonishing 80-micrometer resolution. Small samples, measuring only milligrams, were extracted from the skull’s base and inner ear for age and genetic testing. The mass spectrometer results were then compared with the latest calibration curves, reflecting dietary aspects as well. The skull has been dated between 36 and 205 BCE, aligning well with the traditionally accepted date of Arsinoë IV’s death in 41 BCE. Fortunately, genetic analysis revealed a match between this skull and the sample from the femur discovered later. Thus, the skeleton found in the anteroom indeed belonged to the same individual as the skull removed by Keil. “However, the surprising twist was that both tests indicated the presence of a Y chromosome — meaning it was male,” notes Gerhard Weber.
Further morphological evaluation and micro-CT imaging indicated that the individual was in the early stages of puberty, around 11 to 14 years old. High-resolution images of the dental roots and developing skull base confirmed this. Unfortunately, the boy exhibited signs of developmental anomalies. One cranial suture, which normally fuses at the age of 65, had closed prematurely, resulting in an abnormal skull shape.
The most noteworthy issue was the poorly developed upper jaw, which angled downward unusually and likely caused significant difficulties with chewing. This was corroborated by the angles in the temporomandibular joints and findings related to two remaining teeth. The first permanent molar, usually one of the most durable teeth, showed no signs of wear, while the first premolar, which emerges a few years later, was significantly worn down and cracked, likely from overuse. The researchers concluded that there was a lack of regular contact between teeth due to the jaw and facial growth anomalies. As of now, the exact cause of these growth disorders remains uncertain, though it could stem from a vitamin D deficiency or genetic syndromes like Treacher Collins syndrome, which can lead to similar traits as those exhibited by the boy.
Dispelling a Rumor and Opening New Avenues for Research
It has become evident that the Octagon in Ephesos does not house Cleopatra’s sister, but rather the remains of a young male with developmental complications, likely of Roman origin. The reasons behind the architectural Egyptian influences in this structure are still a mystery. Nevertheless, it is clear that the tomb was meant for someone of significant social standing. The findings from this study pave the way for intriguing future research, allowing for a resumed search for Arsinoë IV’s actual remains without the constraints of speculation.
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