Ephesus Skull Mystery Solved: Remains Confirmed as Boy, Not Arsinoë IV!

For decades, a skull discovered in 1929 in the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey, was believed to belong to Arsinoë IV, the ill-fated sister of Cleopatra. However, a groundbreaking study published in Scientific Reports has put this theory to rest, revealing instead that the remains are of a young boy with developmental disorders.

Led by anthropologist Gerhard Weber of the University of Vienna, the research employed cutting-edge methods, including micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans, radiocarbon dating, and DNA analysis, to uncover the truth about the skull.

Photo Credit: Gerhard Weber, University of Vienna

A Discovery Shrouded in History

The skull was unearthed within a structure known as the “Octagon,” a magnificent tomb on Curetes Street in Ephesus. Discovered by Austrian archaeologist Josef Keil, the skull was found in a water-filled sarcophagus without accompanying grave goods or inscriptions. The Octagon’s architectural similarities to Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria, coupled with historical accounts, led to speculation that this could be the tomb of Arsinoë IV.

After losing a power struggle against her sister Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, Arsinoë was exiled to Ephesus. In 41 BCE, she was executed on Marc Antony's orders, cementing her as a key figure in the intertwined histories of ancient Egypt and Rome.

Further excavations in 1982 revealed more skeletal remains near the Octagon’s burial chamber, bolstering the belief that Arsinoë might be interred there. However, new scientific evidence has firmly debunked this hypothesis.

The Science Behind the Revelation

Radiocarbon dating of the skull indicated that it originated between 36 and 205 BCE—a timeline that aligned with Arsinoë’s death. However, DNA analysis revealed the presence of a Y chromosome, definitively identifying the remains as male.

Morphological analysis showed that the skull belonged to an 11- to 14-year-old boy who exhibited significant developmental anomalies. His cranial sutures had fused prematurely, resulting in a misshapen, asymmetrical skull. Additionally, his jaw was severely underdeveloped, which would have made chewing difficult—a fact confirmed by wear patterns on his teeth.

The exact cause of these abnormalities remains uncertain, but researchers suggest conditions such as vitamin D deficiency or Treacher Collins syndrome, a genetic disorder linked to craniofacial deformities.

“We can now say with certainty that the person buried in the Octagon was not Arsinoë IV,” said Weber.

Photo Credit: Gerhard Weber, University of Vienna

A Tomb Fit for a Mystery

The study raises intriguing questions about why a young boy with apparent developmental challenges would be buried in such an elaborate tomb. The grandeur of the Octagon suggests he may have belonged to a wealthy or high-status Roman family. However, the exact identity of the boy—and why he was interred in such a prominent location—remains a mystery.

While the mystery of the Ephesus skull has been solved, it has also opened new avenues for understanding the lives of those who lived—and died—during this fascinating period of history. Arsinoë IV’s final resting place remains undiscovered, but the story of the Octagon and its young occupant continues to captivate researchers and history enthusiasts alike.