Archaeologists in Albania have uncovered a Roman tomb dating back to the 3rd–4th century AD, the first of its type and size ever found in the country.

According to The Independent, the site first drew attention thanks to reports from locals who had noticed unusual stones on a plateau near Albania’s border with North Macedonia.

A team from the Albanian Institute of Archaeology began excavations in early August, revealing an underground structure built with large limestone slabs carved with Greek letters.

“The inscription shows us that the person buried here was named Gellianos, a name typical of the Roman period. We are not sure about the identity of the second individual, but it was most likely a family member,” said excavation leader Erikson Nikolli.

The burial chamber, measuring 9 by 6 meters, is the first resting place of a wealthy citizen of this period found in Albania and is far more impressive than others in the region. Last week, Nikolli’s team cleaned the intricately carved edges of the white ceiling and walls of the monument.

“We also discovered a piece of fabric embroidered with golden thread, which confirms our belief that the individual belonged to the upper class,” Nikolli added. Other finds include glass vessels and knives.

According to the archaeologist, the tomb was looted at least twice—once in antiquity and again later, when heavy machinery was used to move a massive boulder that lay above the chamber. He explained that the name of the deceased was inscribed with Greek letters but carried a Latin meaning, while a second inscription indicated that the tomb was dedicated to the god Zeus.

Experts have not yet deciphered additional inscriptions on stones found nearby, believed to belong to another monument now surrounded by cornfields and a quarry.

Local authorities, at a time when tourism in Albania is booming, are already planning to promote the site as a tourist destination.

Source: Independent | External archive photo