Archaeologists in Croatia have unearthed the fossilized remains of a Roman chariot buried with two horses as part of a burial ritual.
A large burial chamber for an “extremely wealthy family” was found in which the chariot with two horses appeared to be imprisoned.
Archaeologists from the Vinkovci City Museum and the Institute of Archeology from Zagreb discovered the Roman chariot on two wheels (known in Latin as cisium) with horses at the Jankovacka Dubrava site near the village of Stari. Jankovci, near the city of Vinkovci, near eastern Croatia.
The remains of the horse and chariot were both buried together in what appeared to be a ritual reserved for very wealthy families.
The find is believed to be an example of how extremely wealthy people are sometimes buried with their horses.
Curator Boris Kratofil explained to local media that the custom of burial under the tumuli (ancient burial mound) was a special burial rite during the Roman period in the southern part of the Pannoinan basin.
This custom is associated with extremely wealthy families, who have played a prominent role in the administrative, social and economic life of the province of Pannonia, he said.
The find is estimated to be from the third century AD, but a team of scientists is working to confirm its age.
The discovery of Roman chariots with horses. The astonishing discovery of a Roman chariot complete with fossilized horse remains
Archaeologists believe it was part of a burial ritual for ‘extremely wealthy families’
The director of the Institute of Archeology Marko Dizdar said that it was a sensational discovery, unique in Croatia.
He said: ‘After this, a long process of restoration and preservation of the findings, but also a complete analysis of the findings.
‘In a few years we will know a little more about the family whose members were buried in this area 1,800 years ago.
‘We are more interested in the horses, that is, were they bred here or from other parts of the empire, which would tell us more about the importance and wealth of the family. this family.
‘We will achieve this through cooperation with many national and European organisations.’
Archaeologists say the discovery will allow them to learn a little more about the family whose members were buried in the area 1,800 years ago.
The find is estimated to be from the third century AD, but the team of scientists is working to confirm its age.