Archaeologists excavating near the ancient town of Aspendos in Turkey have discovered the grave of a person who may have been a professional wrestler more than 2,400 years ago, Live Science reports.

The tomb was discovered in a cemetery outside the city. The remains were found in a sarcophagus made of stone slabs. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the burial dates back to between 475 and 300 BC.

The deceased's possible connection to sports is indicated by silver coins depicting wrestlers and some other artifacts found in the tomb.

At the same time, however, archaeologists cannot yet say whether the buried person was actually engaged in wrestling. Sarah E. Bond, a historian at the University of Iowa who was not involved in the discovery, noted that coins alone are not enough to make such identification, as coins depicting two wrestlers were widespread in Aspendos and were used by the entire population. Additional studies of the remains will be needed to confirm this person's athletic past. In particular, characteristic injuries, such as a broken nose and its subsequent healing, could be evidence of wrestling.

Aspendos was a large Greco-Roman city in southwestern Turkey. Wrestling occupied a special place in its history, and the city minted silver coins depicting two wrestlers. Later, in the 2nd century AD, a stadium for about 8,000 spectators was built there, and running, javelin throwing, as well as wrestling competitions were held in this stadium.

Excavations at the discovered cemetery are still in progress.