Kozani archeological site (taken from www.kozani.gr)

Eleven tombs of people buried with domesticated animals dating back to the late 6th century and early 5th century BC have been discovered during archaeological excavations in Mavropigi, Kozani prefecture, in the Public Power Corporation (DEI) lignite mine.

 

The finds, unearthed over a period of one month, are considered to be of major importance as it is the first time that humans buried together with animals have been discovered in Greece on such a scale.

 

"The tombs of 11 humans and bones of 16 animals, namely horses, dogs, cows, a buffalo and a pig were found, while there are also partial remains of deer, ship and goats," the director of the 30th ephorate of prehistoric and classical antiquities, Georgia Karamitrou, told the Athens-Macedonian Press Agency.

 

Karamitrou, who presented the finds on Thursday in Mavropigi, said that the uniqueness of the cemetery unearthed is the entombment of a large number of animals with the dead.

 

She said that similar isolated finds have been unearthed in several areas of the country, the most characteristic being the entombment of small children with dogs, dolphins and turtles on the Dodecanese islands and Samothraki.

 

Archaeological studies have been ongoing for years in the Mavropigi area, financed by DEI in the context of its "Actions for Society" programme that includes the conservation of cultural wealth in the areas it is active in.