Archaeologists in Albania have excavated a large underground Roman burial chamber dating from the 3rd to 4th century AD—an unprecedented find for the country. Located near the North Macedonia border, the tomb was revealed after investigators were tipped off by locals who noticed unusual stones on a plateau. Excavations began in early August under the direction of the Institute of Archaeology.
Lavish Tomb with Greek Inscriptions
The tomb measures approximately 9 by 6 meters and features limestone slabs inscribed in Greek. One inscription names “Gelliano,” believed to be a wealthy Roman individual; another dedicates the tomb to Jupiter. The chamber’s interior included ornate carvings, a fragment of fabric embroidered with gold thread, glass plates, and knives—clear indicators of the deceased’s elite status.
Despite signs of looting—both in antiquity and during modern activities like heavy machinery use—much of the tomb and its artifacts remain remarkably intact. Authorities are now planning to develop the site into a tourist attraction. Meanwhile, additional inscriptions on nearby stones are under analysis, potentially revealing more about the burial or related monuments.
