Rare 1,800-Year-Old Roman Child Sarcophagus Unearthed in Romania With Toys
Archaeologists in Romania opened a sealed 2nd-century Roman child's sarcophagus in Constanța, revealing intact clay toys, bronze amulets, and wooden coffin r...
POLICY WIRE — Constanța, Romania — Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably preserved sarcophagus in Constanța, Romania, dating back to the second or third century AD. The intact seal allowed researchers to examine a rare glimpse into ancient funerary customs in the region.
Inside the stone vessel, investigators recovered the remains of a wooden coffin belonging to a child. The undisturbed nature of the burial provided exceptional evidence of childhood practices in the ancient city of Tomis.
The find included two clay toys: a small wheeled horse and a rooster-shaped rattle. Both objects retained visible traces of original paint, with specific details like eyes and facial features still discernible.
Among the grave goods were two bronze amulets, which were traditionally given to Roman children for luck and spiritual protection.
Archaeologist Ana Hamat noted that the rooster toy contained small pellets that still produced a rattling sound upon movement.
Floral decorations and bronze jewelry were also identified inside the sarcophagus, adding to the collection of artifacts from this significant 1,800-year-old discovery.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
