Macedonian graves of all periods contained numerous pieces of jewellery made of diverse materials and artistically crafted. This custom, which is not noticeable to the same extent in the graves of southern Greece, is an indication of the Macedonians' partiality to beautiful and valuable objects.
The graves of the prehistoric Cemetery of the Tumuli at Vergina, of the Archaic cemetery of Sindos, and of many other regions have revealed a quantity of jewelry in bronze, iron, silver and gold. Among them are simple pieces belonging to ordinary people, as well as others, made of precious metals, which were worn by the upper classes.
A typical collection is that found in the royal tombs of Vergina, which attests the high standard of Macedonian jewelry-making in the Late Classical period. The fashioning of jewelry of excellent quality continued to the end of antiquity, becoming ever more composite and combining local elements with the influences of southern Greece and the East. As a result of Alexander III's campaign precious stones and other materials which suited the craftsmen's taste for variety were imported from distant countries.
Gold necklace
Sindos, fourth quarter of 6th century BC
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