The presented images showcase a Roman chariot, accompanied by the fossilized remains of horses, revealing a significant archaeological discovery linked to the burial practices of “extremely wealthy families.”

Archaeologists affiliated with the City Museum Vinkovci and the Institute of Archaeology from Zagreb have unearthed a two-wheeled Roman carriage, known as a cisium in Latin, along with horses at the Jankovacka Dubrava site near the village of Stari Jankovci, in close proximity to the city of Vinkovci, located in eastern Croatia.

The excavation revealed a spacious burial chamber containing the carriage, seemingly housing two horses.

Curator Boris Kratofil provided insights to local media, describing the distinctive burial custom observed under tumuli, ancient burial mounds, as an extraordinary ritual during the Roman era in the southern region of the Pannoinan Basin. Kratofil emphasized that this tradition was linked to exceptionally affluent families that played pivotal roles in the administrative, social, and economic spheres of the province of Pannonia.

While the estimated age of the discovery is traced back to the third century AD, the scientific team is actively engaged in efforts to verify its precise age.

Kratofil outlined the subsequent steps in the extensive process, including the restoration, conservation, and comprehensive analysis of the findings. He expressed anticipation that, in a few years, additional details would emerge about the family members interred in this area nearly 1800 years ago. The focus lies particularly on understanding the origin of the horses, whether locally bred or from other parts of the empire, providing insights into the family’s significance and wealth. These revelations are anticipated through collaborative efforts with both domestic and various European institutions.