Remains of lost Persian army possibly found UPDATE

[November 18, 2009, Editor's note: - Early last week, news sources around the world reported claims by twin brothers Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni that they were on the trail to finding the remains of 50,000 Persian soldiers who were lost in the Sahara Desert 2,500 years ago. Now comes the compelling rebuttal: naysayers are noting that the brothers are little more than glory seeking film makers, not trained archaeologists, and their evidence just doesn’t pile up to a hill of bones. Following is the story we published based on an online source. At the end is a link to rogueclassicism.com which provides an interesting analysis of the claim. You decide: is the brothers’ claim discovery or deceit?]

November 12, 2009

Researchers believe they are getting closer to uncovering the true story of what happened to thousands of Persian Army soldiers who vanished in the Sahara Desert 2,500 years ago. According to Discovery News, hundreds of bleached bones and skulls have been found, along with remnants of weapons and jewelry.

The first findings were made in 1996, leading archaeologists and brothers Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni to begin a 13-year study to identify the remains. They now say there is compelling evidence that they are soldiers from the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II.

The story of the warriors’ disappearance was told by Greek historian Herodotus (484-425 B.C.), but eventually dismissed by modern historians because no bones were ever found. According to the writings of Herodotus, 50,000 warriors were sent through the desert in 535 B.C. by Cambyses, the son of Cyrus the Great, to attack the Oasis of Siwa after priests there refused to legitimize Cambyses’ claim to Egypt.

“After walking for seven days in the desert, the army got to an "oasis," which historians believe was El-Kharga. After they left, they were never seen again,” said the Discovery News account. Herodotus claimed they were drowned in a sandstorm.

Other accounts speak of a sea of bleached bones once visible in the area.

So far, hundreds of bones have been found, but the search goes on to find a larger mass grave of the missing soldiers.

The Castiglioni brothers are well versed in the history of the area having discovered the ancient Egyptian "city of gold", Berenike Panchrysos, 20 years ago. They recently presented their findings at an archaeological film festival.

To read the entire Discovery News item go to: www.discovery.com.

Read the rebuttal at: http://rogueclassicism.com

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