Mystery Of The Ancient Skull Found In Ephesus Solved – It Did Not Belong To Arsinoë IV, Cleopatra’s Sister

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - In 1929, Austrian archaeologist Josef Keil and his team uncovered a water-filled sarcophagus in the ruins of the "Octagon," a grand structure on Ephesos's (Ephesus's) main street in Turkey. Although no significant grave goods were found, they did discover a complete skeleton.

Keil took only the skull for further study before resealing the tomb on Curetes Street. His initial analysis in Greifswald, Germany, suggested it belonged to "a very distinguished person," likely a 20-year-old woman. Without concrete evidence, he transported the skull to Vienna upon joining the University of Vienna.

In 1953, Josef Weninger from the University of Vienna's Institute of Anthropology published an article with detailed photos and measurements. He concluded that the skull was from a young woman of "refined" features, possibly indicating aristocratic lineage from antiquity.

Later excavations in Ephesos in 1982 revealed more skeletal remains not within the sarcophagus but rather in an antechamber niche. The architectural style of the Octagon suggested influences from Egypt's Pharos of Alexandria, and historical accounts noted Arsinoë IV's murder in Ephesos around 41 BCE at Mark Antony’s behest—leading to speculation that she might be interred there.

A recent interdisciplinary study led by anthropologist Gerhard Weber at the University of Vienna and experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences has provided new insights into this archaeological find. While it was long thought these could be Arsinoë IV’s remains—Cleopatra’s sister—the latest analyses indicate otherwise. The bones belong to a boy aged between 11 and 14 who had pathological developmental disorders, with genetic markers suggesting origins from Italy or Sardinia.

The cranium from the Octagon in Ephesos. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83870-x

The skull has been dated to a period between 36 and 205 BCE, aligning closely with the traditional date of Arsinoë IV's death in 41 BCE. Genetic analysis confirmed a match between the skull and existing femur samples. Consequently, it has been determined that the skeleton discovered in the anteroom of the Octagon is indeed from the same individual as the skull that Josef Keil extracted from the sarcophagus in 1929.

"But then came the big surprise: in repeated tests, the skull and femur both clearly showed the presence of a Y chromosome—in other words, a male," explains Gerhard Weber.

Bucco-occlusal view of the upper M1 and P3 still in situ. While the later erupting first premolar already shows significant wear on the buccal cusp, the first molar displays absolutely no signs of use. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83870-x

The morphological and micro-CT data showed the boy from the Octagon was around 11 to 14 years old, still in puberty. High-resolution images of his dental roots and developing skull base confirm this. However, he had abnormal development; one cranial suture, usually fusing at age 65, was already closed, causing an asymmetrical skull shape.

The most notable characteristic observed was the underdeveloped upper jaw, which was unusually angled downwards, likely causing significant chewing difficulties. This is further supported by the distinct angles of the temporomandibular joints and dental findings showing only two teeth remaining in the jaw.

Ancient ruins at Ephesus. Credit: Pixabay - DebraJean - Public Domain

Interestingly, the first permanent molar—typically the longest-used tooth in permanent dentition—showed no signs of wear. In contrast, the first premolar, which emerges later in life, was worn down with visible cracks due to probable overuse.

Researchers have concluded that there was a lack of regular tooth contact due to facial and jaw growth anomalies. The exact cause of these growth disorders remains uncertain; possibilities include vitamin D deficiency or genetic syndromes like Treacher Collins syndrome that produce similar appearances to that of this individual from the Octagon.

See also: More Archaeology News

It has been determined that it wasn't Cleopatra's sister buried in Ephesos' Octagon but rather a young Roman male with developmental disorders.

The reason behind Egyptian architectural influences in this structure remains unresolved; however, it is evident that this tomb was intended for someone of high social standing. These findings pave the way for intriguing new research opportunities and allow for renewed efforts to locate Arsinoë IV's remains without being clouded by previous speculations.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer