Byzantine-Era Tomb Unearthed Amid Reconstruction in War-Torn Syrian Town
Years of conflict saw not only destruction from aerial bombardments but also widespread looting and illicit excavations. Some residents have previously covered up discoveries out of fear that their land might be confiscated to preserve the ruins.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — A contractor digging through the rubble of a destroyed home in northern Syria made an unexpected discovery last month: an underground Byzantine tomb complex believed to be over 1,500 years old, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The rare archaeological find emerged in the war-ravaged town of Maarat al-Numan, located in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province — a region steeped in both historical significance and years of brutal conflict. Strategically positioned along the route connecting Aleppo and Damascus, Maarat al-Numan was once a fierce battleground during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war. The town fell to rebel forces in a dramatic offensive that marked the end of former President Bashar Assad’s rule in the area, before government forces reclaimed it in 2020.
Amid reconstruction efforts now underway, last month, residents uncovered stone openings in the earth that led to ancient burial chambers. The discovery prompted locals to notify the Idlib Directorate of Antiquities, which quickly dispatched a team to inspect and secure the site, AP reported.
“Based on the presence of the cross and the pottery and glass pieces that were found, this tomb dates back to the Byzantine era,” Hassan al-Ismail, the director of antiquities in Idlib, told AP. He noted that the newly discovered tomb adds to the already vast archaeological richness of the region. “Idlib has a third of the monuments of Syria, containing 800 archaeological sites in addition to an ancient city,” he added.
The tomb complex, nestled beneath a modern residential neighborhood of cinder-block homes—many still visibly damaged by years of shelling—consists of two chambers. Each contains six stone tombs, with a cross etched into the top of one of the stone columns.
The Byzantine Empire, which emerged in the 4th century AD as a continuation of the Roman Empire, was centered in Constantinople—modern-day Istanbul—and adopted Christianity as its official faith. Across northwestern Syria, its legacy remains in the form of "Dead Cities," abandoned Byzantine-era settlements with limestone ruins of churches, houses, and colonnaded streets.
In Maarat al-Numan, however, war has not only damaged homes and displaced families—it has also imperiled Syria’s archaeological heritage. Years of conflict saw not only destruction from aerial bombardments but also widespread looting and illicit excavations. Some residents have previously covered up discoveries out of fear that their land might be confiscated to preserve the ruins.
Ghiath Sheikh Diab, a local resident who witnessed the moment the tomb was revealed, voiced hope that the current authorities will fairly compensate landowners and assist returning residents in rebuilding their lives.
As Syria begins the long road to recovery, discoveries like this one serve as a reminder of both the country’s deep historical roots and its enduring resilience.
Byzantine-Era Tomb Unearthed Amid Reconstruction in War-Torn Syrian Town!
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) June 9, 2025
Years of conflict saw not only destruction from aerial bombardments but also widespread looting and illicit excavations.
Some residents have previously covered up discoveries out of fear that their land… pic.twitter.com/vyxx2cCzQ0
