The discovery and analysis of an ancient skull found in Ephesos, Turkey, has long been a subject of fascination and speculation among archaeologists and historians. For decades, some researchers believed that these remains might belong to Arsinoë IV, the sister of Cleopatra, who was executed in Ephesos around 41 BCE. However, recent interdisciplinary research led by anthropologist Gerhard Weber from the University of Vienna, in collaboration with experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, has provided groundbreaking insights that debunk this long-standing theory. The new findings, published in Scientific Reports, reveal that the remains actually belong to a young boy between the ages of 11 and 14 who suffered from significant developmental disorders. Genetic analysis indicates that he was of Italian or Sardinian origin, a surprising revelation that not only rewrites the history of the site but also raises new questions about the identity of the individual and the purpose of his burial in such a prestigious tomb.
The story of this skull begins in 1929 when Austrian archaeologist Josef Keil and his team discovered a sarcophagus submerged in water within the ruins of a grand structure known as the “Octagon” on Ephesos’ Curetes Street. The Octagon was an impressive tomb, and its architectural elements bore a resemblance to the Egyptian “Pharos of Alexandria,” leading to early speculation that it could have housed the remains of Arsinoë IV. However, the sarcophagus contained no significant grave goods—only a single, complete skeleton. Keil, focusing primarily on the skull, removed it for further study and left the rest of the remains behind, sealing the tomb once again.
Keil’s initial analysis in Greifswald, Germany, led him to believe that the skull belonged to a young woman of high status, possibly around 20 years old. Lacking concrete data to support his claim, he transported the skull to the University of Vienna, where further examinations were conducted. Decades later, in 1953, Josef Weninger, head of the Institute of Anthropology at the University of Vienna, revisited the skull and concluded that it belonged to a young aristocratic woman, reinforcing the hypothesis that it might be Arsinoë IV.
The discovery of additional skeletal remains in 1982 within a niche in an antechamber of the burial chamber reignited the mystery. The architectural grandeur of the Octagon, coupled with the historical record of Arsinoë IV’s assassination in Ephesos at the behest of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, lent further credibility to the theory. Over the years, numerous reports and academic discussions fueled the belief that the Octagon was the final resting place of Cleopatra’s ill-fated sister.
With advancements in forensic anthropology and archaeology, researchers at the University of Vienna, along with geneticists, dating specialists, orthodontists, and archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, embarked on a new investigation using cutting-edge scientific techniques. The first step involved micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to create a high-resolution digital archive of the skull. Following this, small samples—mere milligrams—were extracted from the skull base and inner ear for precise dating and genetic analysis.
The radiocarbon dating results placed the skull within a timeframe of 36 to 205 BCE, aligning with Arsinoë IV’s recorded death in 41 BCE. Genetic comparisons also established a match between the skull and the femur found in the antechamber, confirming that both belonged to the same individual. However, the most startling revelation came from the genetic analysis: the presence of a Y chromosome, unequivocally proving that the remains were male.
This discovery marked a turning point in the investigation. Not only did it disprove the long-held belief that the remains were those of Arsinoë IV, but it also raised new questions about the identity of the young boy buried in the Octagon. Morphological examinations of the skull, combined with micro-CT data, revealed that he was between 11 and 14 years old at the time of death and had suffered from severe developmental disorders.
One of the most striking abnormalities was the premature fusion of a cranial suture, a condition that typically occurs only in old age. This early fusion gave the skull an asymmetrical shape. Additionally, the upper jaw was significantly underdeveloped and tilted downward, which would have made chewing extremely difficult. These skeletal anomalies were further supported by dental analysis. High-resolution imaging of the teeth revealed an unusual pattern: the first permanent molar, which is usually the most worn-down tooth in an individual’s lifetime, showed no signs of use, while the first premolar—normally a much younger tooth—was heavily worn and cracked. This suggested that the boy had an abnormal bite, possibly due to a genetic disorder or a severe nutritional deficiency such as vitamin D deficiency.
The exact cause of these developmental issues remains uncertain. While some scientists speculate that the boy may have suffered from a congenital syndrome like Treacher Collins syndrome, which affects craniofacial development, others believe that environmental factors such as malnutrition could have played a role. Regardless of the underlying cause, it is evident that the boy had significant health challenges that would have made daily life difficult.
With the identity of the remains now settled, the focus shifts to understanding why this young boy was interred in such an opulent tomb. The Octagon’s elaborate design and its resemblance to Egyptian architectural styles suggest that it was built for a person of high social status. If the boy was not Arsinoë IV, then who was he? The genetic evidence points to an origin in Italy or Sardinia, indicating a possible connection to the Roman elite. This raises the possibility that he was a member of an influential Roman family, possibly brought to Ephesos for reasons unknown.
The presence of Egyptian influences in the Octagon’s design remains another mystery. Some historians suggest that the structure was commissioned by a wealthy Roman patron with Egyptian connections, while others propose that it was meant to evoke the grandeur of Alexandria, a city that played a crucial role in Mediterranean politics at the time.
While this discovery dispels one of the most intriguing rumors in archaeological history—the alleged burial of Arsinoë IV—it simultaneously opens the door to new questions and avenues of research. The confirmation that the remains belonged to a young, developmentally challenged boy rather than Cleopatra’s sister means that the search for Arsinoë IV’s true resting place must continue.
For decades, scholars have debated whether Arsinoë IV was given an honorable burial or whether her remains were discarded in an unmarked grave after her assassination. With modern advancements in forensic archaeology, future excavations and genetic analyses may yet uncover definitive evidence of her fate. Until then, the Octagon of Ephesos stands not as the tomb of a famous Egyptian princess, but as a silent witness to a different, still-unknown story—one of a young Roman boy whose life and death remain shrouded in mystery.
This study exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research in solving historical puzzles. By combining traditional archaeology with modern scientific techniques, researchers can challenge long-held assumptions and uncover the truth hidden within ancient remains. The findings not only reshape our understanding of the Octagon but also serve as a reminder that history is often far more complex than the legends that surround it. With the mystery of Arsinoë IV’s burial still unsolved, archaeologists and historians will no doubt continue their search, driven by the hope that one day, her true resting place will be found.
More information: Gerhard W. Weber et al, The cranium from the Octagon in Ephesos, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83870-x