Ancient 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb complex found under destroyed Syrian house

A contractor in northern Syria stumbled upon the remains of an underground Byzantine tomb complex believed to be more than 1,500 years old while digging in a residential neighborhood.

By Nina Joudeh
13:55 ET, Mon, Jun 9, 2025 | UPDATED: 13:57 ET, Mon, Jun 9, 2025

A guard inspects an engraved stone, originally found at a Byzantine underground tomb complex believed to be over 1,500 years old and uncovered by a contractor during the reconstruction of a war-damaged house and brought to a museum yard in Maarat al-Numan, Syria, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A contractor in northern Syria got more than he expected when he uncovered an underground Byzantine tomb complex, believed to be over 1,500 years old, while digging through the remains of a demolished house.

The unexpected discovery occurred last month in the town of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province, strategically located on the route between Aleppo and Damascus. The town emerged as a focal point during the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war that culminated in December with the overthrow of former President Bashar Assad by rebels.

Assad's forces reclaimed the area from opposition control in 2020. Homes were plundered and razed.
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https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/174320/1-500-year-old-byzantine-tomb-complex-found-under-destroyed-syrian-house