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 3m (10feet) in diameter, accessible through a small antechamber and a tunnel, approximately 6m (20feet) 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, 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 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]