- A 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb complex has been discovered in Maarat al-Numan, Idlib, northern Syria, by a construction worker.
- The discovery occurred as residents return to rebuild following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, revealing stone openings that led to the ancient graves.
- The tomb complex includes two burial chambers, each containing six stone tombs, with a cross etched into one stone column, indicating its Byzantine-era origin.
- Idlib, rich in archaeological sites, holds a third of Syria's monuments, but years of war have caused significant damage through bombing, looting, and unauthorised digging.
- Local residents hope the discovery and restoration of antiquities will spur economic renewal and tourism, with calls for fair compensation to property owners where ruins are found.
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