Sealed beneath the ground for some 1,500 years, a massive 5-ton sarcophagus from Late Antiquity has been unearthed in Croatia, offering archaeologists a rare glimpse into burial practices dating back to the twilight of the Roman era.
The remarkable discovery was made in Cavtat, a coastal town within the boundaries of the ancient Roman colony of Epidaurum, where archaeologists uncovered the sarcophagus about 3 meters (10 feet) below ground in a necropolis.
What makes the find particularly significant is that the tomb appears to have remained sealed and undisturbed for centuries. Lime mortar between the stone body and its double lid was found remarkably well preserved, helping shield the interior from outside elements while protecting the burial from looting.
After archaeologists and conservators carefully opened the massive lid, they discovered the remains of a single individual inside. Although the bones had deteriorated considerably over time, researchers recovered organic deposits and other material for detailed laboratory analysis.
Further examinations are expected to shed light on the identity of the person buried in the tomb, as well as living conditions and funerary traditions in the region during Late Antiquity.
Dating from approximately the fourth to sixth centuries A.D., the sarcophagus has been identified as belonging to the so-called Salona type, a form widespread in the Roman province of Dalmatia.
The structure also bears distinctive architectural decoration on its corners, while the limestone used to make it was determined to have originated in the region. Researchers say the finding points to the presence of established local stoneworking workshops and skilled craftspeople in the area during Late Antiquity.
Moving the enormous artifact presented another challenge. A multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, anthropologists and conservators worked together to lift the lid and carefully extract the 5-ton structure from the excavation site.
Following the painstaking operation, the sarcophagus was transported and placed in an open area in Cavtat, allowing residents and visitors to see the centuries-old archaeological find up close.