Archaeologists have uncovered Albania's first known Roman burial chamber, a significant find dating to the third or fourth century AD when the region formed part of the Roman Empire.
The underground tomb belonged to an affluent individual called Gelliano, whose name appears in Greek script on the structure's limestone slabs.
Local residents initially alerted the Institute of Archaeology after spotting unusual stones on a plateau close to Albania's frontier with North Macedonia.
Excavations beginning in early August revealed the substantial burial site, which archaeologists believe housed a member of society's elite based on the chamber's impressive scale and the valuable items discovered within.
Archaeologists have uncovered Albania's first known Roman burial chamber, a significant find dating to the third or fourth century AD when the region formed part of the Roman Empire
|FACEBOOK/ EDI RAMA
The tomb spans nine metres in length and six metres in width, making it considerably more elaborate than other burial sites discovered in the region.
Erikson Nikolli, who leads the archaeological project, explained: "The inscription tells us that the person buried here was named Gelliano, a name typical of the Roman period."
The structure features substantial limestone blocks bearing Greek inscriptions.
Nikolli's team employed delicate brushes last week to expose the ornate carvings along the white stone roof and walls of the chamber.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Local residents initially alerted the Institute of Archaeology after spotting unusual stones on a plateau close to Albania's frontier with North Macedonia
|FACEBOOK/ EDI RAMA
"We are uncertain about the identity of the second individual, but it is likely a family member," Nikolli stated.
"We also uncovered a piece of fabric embroidered with gold thread, which confirms our belief that we are dealing with a member of the upper class."
The team discovered glass plates and knives amongst the artefacts.
Historical vandalism has affected the site, with Nikolli noting the chamber suffered plundering on two occasions - initially during ancient times and subsequently when modern equipment was used to shift a massive stone covering the burial chamber.
Experts have yet to analyse inscriptions on stones discovered in the vicinity, which archaeologists suspect originated from a separate monument now encircled by maize fields and a quarry.
Albanian officials have announced intentions to transform the archaeological site into a tourist destination.
The underground tomb belonged to an affluent individual called Gelliano, whose name appears in Greek script on the structure's limestone slabs
|FACEBOOK/ EDI RAMA
The tomb's grandeur and contents provide valuable evidence of the social hierarchy and burial customs practised in this frontier region of the Roman world nearly two millennia ago.