Roman shield umbo, Greek inscription found in necropolis in Romania

"The site where the new hospital is being built was known to be on the perimeter of Tomis' imperial-era necropolis and was in the protection area of the 4th century early Christian Tomb with Orant. Heritage law required an archaeological survey, but the structural unsoundness of the old hospital building posed challenges to the excavation and it ended up having to be split into two phases for the safety of all involved."

"It was no longer a cultureless backwater by the time the necropolis was being used. It was a major urban center with an excellent harbor and bustling trade. At the beginning of the 4th century, it became the capital of the province of Scythia Minor."

"The burials are of different types, notably catacombs that housed multiple burials. The catacombs were in regular use for many years, and could be accessed by a tiled staircase that has survived in excellent condition. Most of the 34 graves had furnishings, including jewelry, delicate glass vessels, coins and a large number of amphorae made in North Africa."

An archaeological excavation conducted before hospital construction in Constanta, Romania revealed 34 graves from the Roman period (3rd-4th centuries) at the site of ancient Tomis. The city, founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., was conquered by Rome under Augustus in 29 B.C. By the imperial era, Tomis had transformed into a major urban center with an excellent harbor and bustling trade, eventually becoming the capital of Scythia Minor in the early 4th century. The excavation, conducted by the Constanta Museum of National History and Archaeology in two phases for safety reasons, revealed various burial types including catacombs with multiple interments. The graves contained substantial grave goods including jewelry, glass vessels, coins, North African amphorae, and exceptionally rare items such as a Greek-language inscription and a parade shield umbo.

Read at www.thehistoryblog.com