Archaeologists have discovered 43 richly laden graves of warriors in Pella, northern Greece, the birthplace of Alexander the Great.

The graves range in age from 650-279 B.C., including 9 that date to Alexander’s time (320 B.C.). There are even 11 bejeweled women buried among them.

Some were buried in bronze helmets alongside iron swords and knives. Their eyes, mouths and chests were covered in gold foil richly decorated with drawings of lions and other animals symbolizing royal power.

“The discovery is rich in historical importance, shedding light on Macedonian culture during the Archaic period,” Pavlos Chrysostomou, who headed the eight-year project that investigated a total of 900 graves, told Reuters.

Pavlas said the graves confirmed evidence of an ancient Macedonian society organized along militaristic lines and with overseas trade as early as the second half of the seventh century BC.