By the age of 32, Alexander the Great had extended his dominion from the Balkans to present-day Pakistan, establishing himself as the ruler of one of the ancient world’s largest empires. Despite his monumental achievements and enduring renown, paying homage to him today remains an impossibility due to the enigma surrounding his final resting place.

However, delving into ancient texts, legends, and recent archaeological revelations, are there any indications as to the whereabouts of Alexander the Great’s burial site? The illustrious Macedonian general breathed his last in Babylon in 323 B.C., precipitating the collapse of his empire as his generals and officials engaged in power struggles. Among these figures, Ptolemy, one of Alexander’s trusted generals, took custody of his body and transported it to Memphis, Egypt, in 321 B.C., as chronicled by Egyptologist Chris Naunton in his work “Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt” (Thames & Hudson, 2018).

Historical accounts suggest that Alexander’s remains were likely housed in Memphis until a suitable tomb was erected in Alexandria, whereupon his body was transferred. The precise timing of this transition remains uncertain, with some speculating it may have spanned several decades. By the late third century B.C., records indicate the construction of another tomb in Alexandria, known as the “Sema” or “Soma,” believed to be Alexander’s final resting place, according to Naunton.

However, the exact location of this ultimate tomb remains elusive. “The location of the tomb could now be underwater,” suggests Naunton, citing ancient historian Strabo’s reference to its placement in the submerged “palaces district.” Yet, definitive clarity eludes scholars, including Andrew Erskine, a classics professor at The University of Edinburgh, who acknowledges the ambiguity surrounding Alexander’s tomb.

Naunton opines that the likelihood of discovering Alexander’s tomb is slim, owing to centuries of natural and human-induced decay, compounded by modern urbanization. Even if remnants are uncovered, positively identifying the tomb as Alexander’s may prove daunting due to scant textual descriptions, necessitating the presence of an inscription, Naunton adds.

Despite this uncertainty, two extant sites offer potential insights into Alexander’s temporary resting places. One such site is an unnamed tomb in eastern Alexandria, dubbed the “alabaster tomb,” potentially housing Alexander upon his initial arrival in the city. Additionally, attention is drawn to a sarcophagus crafted for Nectanebo II, a fleeing pharaoh, with long-standing legend linking it to Alexander’s body during its relocation from Babylon to Memphis, now housed in the British Museum in London.

In a 2020 article in the Egyptology magazine Kmt, independent researcher Andrew Chugg proposed arguments supporting the idea that this sarcophagus temporarily contained Alexander’s remains. Highlighting an ancient tale linking Nectanebo II to Alexander’s lineage, Chugg identifies a block with a star shield symbol, believed to have been part of the sarcophagus, now on display in the St. Apollonia Stone Museum in Venice, Italy.

While some scholars anticipate the eventual discovery of Alexander’s final resting place, the search remains challenging. Chugg identifies several promising areas within Alexandria, including the Latin cemetery at El-Shatby, where former Egyptian antiquities minister Zahi Hawass believes Alexander’s tomb could be unearthed in the future.