A remarkable 2,000-year-old Roman stele featuring an intricately carved eagle clutching a wreath has been discovered in the ancient city of Manbij, Syria. The black basalt funerary monument, adorned with Greek inscriptions, offers a rare glimpse into Roman imperial symbolism and the complex cultural heritage of northern Syria during antiquity.
The discovery began when a local resident noticed the heavy stone behind the cardamom wholesale market in Manbij, east of Aleppo. Recognizing its potential significance, the individual immediately contacted Syria’s Directorate of Museums and Antiquities reports Arkeonews. Archaeological teams swiftly secured the artifact and transferred it to the old bathhouse site in Manbij for safekeeping before its planned relocation to Aleppo for comprehensive analysis.
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Removal of the Roman basalt stele from the find site in Syria. (Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Syria)
