Thracian tomb of Aleksandrovo

41°58′47″N 25°44′17″E

Hunting scene on the main chamber fresco

The Aleksandrovo tomb is a Thracian burial mound and tomb excavated near Aleksandrovo, Haskovo Province, South-Eastern Bulgaria, dated to c. 4th century BCE.

On December 17, 2000 the tomb was accidentally uncovered by an earth-moving machine.[1] Looters subsequently entered the tomb, damaging some of its frescoes. In 2001 Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov led a rescue excavation of the tomb, discovering a round chamber of about 3 meters (9.8 ft) in diameter, accessible through a small antechamber and a tunnel, approximately 6 meters (20 ft) long. Both the antechamber and main chamber are decorated with well-preserved frescoes that reflect the artist's knowledge of Late Classical and Early Hellenistic art.[2] The fresco in the main chamber depicts a hunting scene where a boar is attacked by a mounted hunter and a naked man wielding a double-axe. The double-axe is interpreted as representing royal power,[1] the naked man as representing Zalmoxis,[3][4] the Thracian solar god corresponding to Zeus.[3][4]

A graffito in the chamber inscribed with the Thracian name Kozemases indicates either the tomb's noble patron[2] or its artist.[5]

The Thracian tomb of Alexandrovo is dated at early 4th century BCE.[6] Wall paintings exhibit the change in appearance due to Greek influence.[6] In the wall-paintings beards, tattoos, cloaks, boots, hats, top-knots have disappeared.[6] Greek footwear replaces their boots.[6] The tomb may be that of Triballi.[7]

Also other changes are seen such as Thracians wearing gold or bronze torcs around their necks (usually three).[6]