Archaeologists in Albania have discovered the country’s first ancient Roman tomb dating back to the 3rd–4th centuries AD, believed to have belonged to a wealthy resident of the region.
The burial chamber, unearthed near the border with North Macedonia, measures 9 by 6 meters and surpasses all previously known graves in the area. Stone slabs inside the tomb bear inscriptions in Greek letters, one of which revealed the name of one of the deceased — Gelliano, a name typical of the Roman period. The identity of the second individual remains unknown, though researchers suggest it may have been a relative.
According to project leader Erickson Nikolli, a fragment of fabric embroidered with gold thread was among the most striking finds, further indicating the high social status of the deceased. Other discoveries included glass plates and knives.
Experts note that the tomb was looted at least twice: once in antiquity and again in modern times, when heavy machinery was used in an attempt to lift a massive stone slab from the roof of the chamber.
Interestingly, while Gelliano’s name was inscribed using Greek letters, it carries a Latin meaning, and one of the inscriptions is dedicated to the god Jupiter.
Local authorities have already announced plans to turn the excavation site into a tourist attraction. Archaeologists are also working to decipher additional inscriptions on stones found nearby, which are believed to have belonged to another ancient monument.
