Gold wreath may date to Alexander

A priceless gold wreath has been unearthed in an ancient city in northern Greece, buried with human bones in a large copper vase that workers initially took for a land mine.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki said in a statement Friday that the “astonishing” discovery was made during its excavations this week in the ruins of ancient Aigai.

The city was the first capital of ancient Macedonia, where King Philip II -- father of Alexander the Great -- was assassinated.

Excavator Chryssoula Saatsoglou-Paliadeli, a professor of archaeology at the university, said the wreath probably dates to the 4th century BC, during which Philip and Alexander reigned.