Serbian archaeologists continue to excavate the Roman triumphal arch. It was discovered in December during work at the archaeological complex of Viminacium. The arch was built in the 3rd century AD. This is one of the few similar buildings in the Balkans.
Viminacium was a city and capital of the Roman province of Moesia. It was founded in the 1st century. It was one of the largest cities of its era. 45,000 people lived here. A palace, temples, fortifications, an amphitheater, a hippodrome, a forum, baths and workshops were built in Viminacium. There was also an aqueduct here.
The triumphal arch was found during excavations of the main street of the city.
In the first half of the 5th century, Viminacium was attacked by the Huns, and the city suffered greatly. Later, it was rebuilt by the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian I. In the 6th century, the Slavs wiped the city off the face of the earth.
Excavations at Viminacium began in 1882 and are still ongoing. The archaeological complex occupies 450 hectares. So far, only 5% of the territory has been explored.
During excavations, jade sculptures, mosaic fragments, frescoes, weapons, coins, gold items and the remains of three mammoths have already been found. And last summer, near Viminacium, miners accidentally discovered the remains of an ancient Roman ship.
