Athens  - Archaeologists have uncovered a treasure of gold jewellery, weapons and pottery at a burial ground near the birth place of Alexander the Great, the Greek Culture Ministry said Thursday.

Excavations taking place at an ancient burial site near Pella, the capital of ancient Macedonia in northern Greece, have revealed 43 previously undiscovered graves dating from 650-279 BC, a Culture Ministry statement said.

Among the discoveries include the graves of 20 warriors who had been buried between 580-480 BC. Some were buried in copper helmets, iron swords and knives, and their eyes, mouths and chests covered in gold foil decorated with drawings of lions and other animals.

Officials at the Culture Ministry said a total of 915 graves have been excavated over the past eight years at the site of Arhontiko, approximately 590 kilometres north-west of Athens.

Archaeologists hope the new discovery will shed greater light on the Macedonian Kingdom, which during the reign of Alexander the Great, stretched as far away as India.

Alexander, educated by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, conquered many parts of Middle East and Central Asia before dying at the age of 32 in Babylon. (dpa)