Archaeologists in Albania have unearthed a large Roman tomb dating to the 3rd or 4th century AD — the first of its kind found in the country, according to Reuters.

Locals near the North Macedonian border spotted unusual stones on a plateau and alerted authorities. Responding to the tip, the Institute of Archaeology launched excavations in early August and uncovered the underground chamber.

Large limestone slabs, carved with Greek inscriptions, formed the structure.

“The inscription names the buried man as Gelliano — a typical Roman-era name,” said lead archaeologist Erikson Nikolli. “We haven’t identified the second individual, but they likely belonged to the same family.”

The 9-by-6-meter tomb likely belonged to a wealthy individual. Experts say it’s far more elaborate than other burial sites in the region.

Local officials, looking to boost Albania’s growing tourism sector, plan to turn the site into a tourist destination. News of the discovery quickly drew curious crowds from nearby villages.

Last week, Nikolli’s team carefully brushed away soil to reveal intricate carvings on the tomb’s white stone roof and walls.

“We also uncovered a piece of cloth embroidered with gold thread,” Nikolli said. “That confirms this was someone from the upper class.”

The team also found glass panels and knives at the site.

Looters raided the tomb at least twice — once in antiquity, and again when heavy machinery moved a massive stone that once covered the chamber.

Nikolli explained that the name appeared in Greek letters but carried Latin meaning. Another inscription dedicated the tomb to the Roman god Jupiter.

Nearby, the team discovered more inscribed stones, likely from another monument now buried beneath cornfields and a nearby quarry. Experts are still working to decode the texts.

/a.c/