Byzantine tomb discovered in Syrian home rubble

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    In the northern Syrian town of Maarat al-Numan, a remarkable archaeological discovery has come to light. Workers excavating a site, previously cleared of the remnants of a destroyed house, unearthed an underground Byzantine tomb complex estimated to be over 1,500 years old. This town, positioned strategically on the route between Aleppo and Damascus in the Idlib province, has significant historical and war-torn significance, having been a focal point in the lengthy Syrian civil war.

    In December, the downfall of former President Bashar Assad saw this region captured in a quick rebel offensive. By 2020, Assad’s forces had reclaimed the area, resulting in widespread looting and the demolition of numerous houses. Consequently, aerial views show many structures still standing but missing their roofs. As the community begins to heal and reconstruct, new discoveries are being made. During a reconstruction initiative, civilians found stone openings indicative of ancient burial sites and swiftly notified the local antiquities authority. Experts were dispatched to examine and secure the valuable find.

    Presently, the neighborhood is primarily residential, featuring rows of cinder-block buildings, many bearing scars from the war. Adjacent to one such building, an excavation site reveals the entrances to two burial chambers, each harboring six stone tombs. A prominent cross carved into a stone column is a notable Christian symbol of the Byzantine era. Hassan al-Ismail, the director of antiquities in Idlib, confirmed the tomb’s Byzantine origins, attributing it to the artifacts such as pottery and glass pieces found within.

    Al-Ismail described Idlib as a treasure trove of Syrian history, boasting a third of the nation’s monuments and 800 archaeological sites. This region further includes ancient sites akin to the so-called Dead Cities—abandoned Byzantine-era settlements scattered across the northwest Syrian landscape, characterized by their stone houses, basilicas, and colonnaded streets.

    Historically, property owners might conceal such archaeological finds, fearing government confiscation of the land for cultural preservation, according to Ghiath Sheikh Diab, a local witnessing the recent discovery. He expressed hope that the current administration will justly compensate those whose lands host these treasures and aid returning displaced residents grappling with destroyed homes. Years of conflict left a considerable toll on Syria’s archaeological heritage due to bombings, looting, and unauthorized excavation.

    Nevertheless, some residents see a beacon of hope for economic revival within these ancient remnants. Abed Jaafar, accompanied by his son, was among those visiting the rediscovered tombs. Hoping to revive Maarat’s tourism, he recalled times when international tourists flocked there to marvel at its ruins but believes restoring these antiquities could spark economic rejuvenation and reintroduce tourism to the area’s prosperity.