by croatiaweek
May 6, 2026
in
(Photo: Grad Vinkovci/Josip Romić)
ZAGREB, 5 May (Hina) – As part of archaeological excavations at the site of the future new city market in the eastern Croatian city of Vinkovci, archaeologists had discovered 44 Roman graves earlier this spring, and on Tuesday they uncovered the first undisturbed grave containing the remains of a male individual.
Vinkovci City Museum director Hrvoje Vulić said intact, unlooted brick-built graves are extremely rare, noting that out of more than 200 excavated so far, only two unlooted graves have been found.
“The grave structure is made of brick, but unfortunately the deceased was buried with a very small number of items. We documented an iron object by the right foot and a fragment of bronze on the right shoulder. It is a male, provisionally estimated to be between 40 and 45 years old. The skeleton appears to be in relatively good condition, which is excellent as it will provide a range of data through analysis,” Vulić said.
(Photo: Grad Vinkovci/Josip Romić)
He added that the area of the Vinkovci city market lies within the northern necropolis of the Roman Cibalae.
“In other graves examined so far, we have found interesting items such as glass tear bottles, brooches (fibulae) and other, I would say, typical Roman-period objects,” he said.
During the Roman Empire, the area of present-day Vinkovci was the settlement of Colonia Aurelia Cibalae, an important military and trading centre at a crossroads between east and west.
(Photo: Grad Vinkovci/Josip Romić)
Cibalae holds major significance in Roman history, as the 314 AD battle for supremacy between emperors Constantine the Great and Licinius took place nearby.
Its importance is further confirmed by the fact that two Roman emperors, brothers and co-rulers Valentinian I (321–375) and Valens (328–378), were born there – the only Roman emperors born on the territory of modern-day Croatia.
(Photo: Grad Vinkovci/Josip Romić)