In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in the Albanian port city of Durrës have unearthed a 1,600-year-old Roman indoor pool, marking it as the first of its kind.
Durrës, Albania's historic economic hub, has a rich past dating back to the Illyrian era, with its prominence growing under Greek and Roman rule. Previously known as Epidamnus and later Dyrrhachium, the city thrived as a pivotal gateway connecting the east and west.
The recent find came to light during excavations preceding a school construction project. Archaeologists were astounded to uncover remnants of an aristocratic Roman neighbourhood, shedding new light on the city's urban layout.
The discovery included traces of an exquisitely adorned indoor pool within the ruins of an ancient Roman villa. Decorated with remarkably preserved mosaics, the pool's surface showcased intricate frescoes of exceptional artistic merit. Particularly notable was the remarkably intact mosaic floor, boasting geometric patterns crafted from marble, stone, glass, and ceramic tiles.
Estimated to date between 1 and 400 A.D., the Roman remains offer invaluable insights into the city's past. Further exploration revealed additional structures, possibly remnants of a two-storey Roman bathhouse, along with fragments of walls, ceilings, and tile mosaics.
Excavations at the site are ongoing, promising further revelations about Durrës' ancient heritage.
(Source: Arkeonews)