Stara Zagora, July 22, (BTA/GNA) – A unique tomb and sanctuary of an early Christian martyr of the time of the ancient Augusta Traiana was discovered by archaeologists of the Regional Museum of History in Stara Zagora. On Thursday the tomb was opened for the first time.
The sanctuary also known as a martyrium, dates from 3rd century AD, but the tomb which is believed to be of an early Christian martyr is believed to be from the 2nd century.
On Thursday the bones of several people were found in the antique structure and the recesses inside are yet to be studied, said Petar Kalchev, head of the Regional History Museum. According to him the tomb was first opened in the Antiquity but was closed and covered in stones.
On Friday an anthropologist arrived to study the bones.
Such antique structures are known to exist in the Palestine and Rome but not in the Balkans, said Kalchev.
Stara Zagora Deputy Mayor Milena Zheleva said that the site will be put under protection while excavation works continue.
Stara Zagora Mayor Zhivko Todorov said that the local authorities will set aside funding for exploration and conservation of the site and that they will draw up a project to turn it into a tourists site.
The sanctuary was discovered several days ago during rescue excavations along the route of a large scale water project in Stara Zagora.
GNA
Credit: BTA