Archaeologists unearthed the incredible tomb of a Roman warrior dating back to the third century C.E while excavating a basilica in the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey.
Researchers at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University found a “beautiful epic inscription” on the outside of the sarcophagus with the name “Euphrates,” who is believed to have been a Roman gladiator.
Interestingly, archaeologists also discovered that the gladiator’s tomb was reused about 200 years after his death when more people were buried at the site.
Associate professor Sinan Mimaroğlu of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, who led the excavation, commented: “We found one tomb and three tomb-like structures, with 12 individuals inside. This indicates a collective burial.”
He explained it likely began as a small burial structure, and was later converted on two separate occasions: firstly into a wooden-roofed basilica, and later into a domed church during the reign of Emperor Justinian I.
Mimaroğlu believes the extravagant lengths that would have been taken to add these 12 people to the burial site indicate they were likely part of the upper class or clergy.
The remarkable discovery was made at Ayasuluk Hill, part of the Ephesus UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey’s Ismir province.
Researchers also found a water channel, drainage system, mosaics, and several other tombs just eight inches below the surface.
Other sarcophagi from the same era have been found in Istanbul, Syria, and Marmara Island, and entire gladiator arenas have been found elsewhere in Turkey.
The excavation was carried out by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.