Archaeologists unearth ancient Roman burials beneath bustling district of coastal tourist destination

A post shared by the University of Zadar's Department of Archaeology indicated the necropolis dates from the first century B.C. and the fifth century A.D.

The busy Relja neighborhood stands atop "part of the large ancient necropolis of Roman Zadar," the department said.

"In Roman times, cemeteries were located outside city walls, most often along main roads, so along one such route the Romans buried their dead here for nearly 500 years," the post noted.

Across the wider Relja area, including a major shopping center and various landmarks, archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 graves, according to the department.

"Today, the area where the site is located is one of the most vibrant and fast-developing parts of Zadar," the post said. "However, back in Roman times, when the necropolis was first established, it lay [in] the suburban area."

Around 15 ancient burials were found at the site, said Igor Borzić, a professor at the University of Zadar.

The burials "clearly illustrate the typical evolution of funerary practices over the centuries," Borzić told Fox News Digital on May 3.

By the second century, inhumation, or body burials, "became increasingly common."

While the discovery may seem unusual beneath a modern city, Borzić said such finds are not unexpected in Zadar.

"It is difficult to say that anything truly unexpected has emerged, although every single find tells its own story and deserves to be approached as such," said Borzić.

"It is precisely in this area that we believe new and potentially surprising information may still come to light," he said.

Key finds include a burial that may predate Roman Zadar, likely from the prehistoric Liburnian period, as well as "carbonized remains" from the second or third century A.D.

The site has yielded 20th-century artifacts from the Italian occupation of Zadar as well, said Borzić - which "serves as yet another reminder of the city's enduring importance throughout its history."

"Together, these factors ensured that Zadar remained a significant center across many different historical periods."