Syrian worker uncovers ancient tomb complex

A remarkable archaeological discovery has emerged in Syria, as a construction worker uncovered an ancient tomb complex. 

A Syrian construction worker has made a significant archaeological discovery while clearing debris from a demolished house, uncovering the remains of an underground Byzantine tomb complex believed to be over 1,500 years old, Caliber.Az reports via Sky News.

The site was found in Maarat al-Numan, a town in Idlib province located along the ancient route between Aleppo and Damascus. Since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December, locals have been focused on rebuilding their communities, and this discovery comes amid ongoing restoration efforts.

After the initial find of stone entrances during reconstruction work, residents alerted authorities who quickly dispatched a specialized team to investigate and secure the area. Photographs of the site show a pit next to a damaged building that leads down to two burial chambers, each containing six stone tombs. One of the tomb’s columns bears a carved cross.

Hassan al Ismail, director of antiquities in Idlib, confirmed the tomb’s significance, saying, “Based on the presence of the cross and the pottery and glass pieces that were found, this tomb dates back to the Byzantine era.” He also noted that Idlib “has a third of the monuments of Syria, containing 800 archaeological sites in addition to an ancient city.”

The Byzantine Empire, which began in the 4th century AD, was the continuation of the Roman Empire with its capital in Constantinople—modern-day Istanbul—and Christianity as its official religion.

Local resident Ghiath Sheikh Diab shared with the Associated Press that under Assad’s rule, many Syrians hid archaeological finds to avoid property confiscation. Another local, Abed Jaafar, reflected on the past: “In the old days, a lot of foreign tourists used to come to Maarat just to see the ruins. We need to take care of the antiquities and restore them and return them to the way they were before... and this will help to bring back the tourism and the economy.”

The discovery offers hope that Maarat al-Numan’s rich cultural heritage can be preserved and play a role in the town’s recovery and future prosperity.

By Naila Huseynova