Analysis of Ephesus Skull Confirms It Is Not Cleopatra’s Sister

Researchers have revealed the decades-long mystery of a skull discovered in the ruins of Ephesus in 1929, debunking theories that linked the remains to Arsinoë IV, the sister of Cleopatra.

A recent study by a team of scientists led by anthropologist Gerhard Weber from the University of Vienna confirmed the skull belonged to a boy aged 11 to 14.

High-resolution imaging and detailed morphological analysis revealed that the boy was in puberty. Researchers determined his age by examining the development of his dental roots and the base of his skull.

The analysis also uncovered severe growth abnormalities. His skull was asymmetrical and unusually shaped, partly due to the premature fusion of a cranial suture that typically closes around the age of 65.

The exact cause of these growth disorders remains unclear. Researchers suggest that a vitamin D deficiency, possibly linked to rickets, might have played a role. They also consider genetic conditions, such as Treacher Collins syndrome, which is known to cause similar craniofacial deformities, as another possible explanation.

Initial discovery of the skull in the Octagon

The skull’s journey began nearly a century ago when Austrian archaeologist Josef Keil uncovered a water-filled sarcophagus in the “Octagon,” a grand tomb on Curetes Street.

Though the sarcophagus contained no valuable artifacts, Keil removed the skull for further analysis. At the time, he speculated it belonged to a “distinguished person” and possibly a young woman.

#Cleopatra‘s sister #Arsinoë IV remains missing! A team of anthropologists from @univienna and the University of Coimbra as well as archaeologists from @oeai_oeaw analyzed a skull found in #Ephesos, Turkey, in 1929. pic.twitter.com/cyTa8BOedd

— Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut (@oeai_oeaw) January 10, 2025

In 1953, Josef Weninger, then head of the University of Vienna’s Institute of Anthropology, revisited the discovery. His analysis described the skull as that of a refined, aristocratic woman, reinforcing speculation of a royal connection.

The Arsinoë IV hypothesis

This theory gained traction in 1990, fueled by the Octagon’s architectural resemblance to Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria and historical accounts of Arsinoë IV’s assassination in Ephesus around 41 BCE, allegedly orchestrated by Mark Antony at Cleopatra’s behest.

However, recent advancements in technology have reshaped this narrative. A team of geneticists, archaeologists, and other specialists launched a detailed investigation of the skull.

Using micro-computed tomography, they created a digital scan with a resolution of 80 micrometers. Tiny samples from the skull’s base and inner ear were analyzed to determine age, origin, and diet.

DNA testing confirms a male identity

The results revealed the skull dated between 36 and 205 BCE, aligning with Arsinoë IV’s historical death.

Yet, DNA testing delivered a critical twist: both the skull and femur samples discovered in a 1982 excavation shared the same genetic profile, confirming they belonged to the same person. Further testing identified the presence of a Y chromosome, definitively establishing the individual as male.

“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.