Durres renovation project halted after ancient tomb discovery

DURRES, September 22 – A redevelopment project in the city of Durres has been halted after construction work discovered a 6th-century tomb, the Associated Press reported.
The find is of minimal archaeological importance, but officials hail the delay as a landmark decision in this impoverished Balkan country, where rampant construction often obliterates cultural heritage.
Vangjel Stamo of Albania’s archaeological service says recent development in Durres, which is 3,000 year old, has “damaged so much of the archaeology.”
Archaeologists plan a shelter over the tomb, which contained bones, and will dig around it in hope of finding an entire cemetery.
Work will then proceed to build a municipal shopping complex and coffee bar.
Durres is 20 miles (33 kilometres) from the capital, Tirana.