An ancient Roman sarcophagus, discovered on a beach and repurposed as a bar at a Black Sea resort near Varna, has been confirmed as an authentic artifact, raising significant concerns about Bulgaria’s cultural heritage preservation.

Archaeologists from the Regional History Museum in Varna examined the sarcophagus, identifying its ornate design, including garlands, animal heads, rosettes, and a labrys (a double-headed axe), as part of the “garland sarcophagi” style typical of Roman times. Made from shelly limestone, the sarcophagus features intricate relief decorations on all four sides.

The situation came to light when a former police officer, vacationing in Varna, spotted the artifact and reported it to local authorities. Social media posts revealing the sarcophagus’s use as a bar further fueled public concern.

Archaeologist Alexander Minchev emphasized that all archaeological finds in Bulgaria are state property, regardless of how they are discovered. He has called for an investigation into how the sarcophagus ended up at the beach club, suspecting this may not be an isolated incident.

Following the report, the sarcophagus was removed with the assistance of the Interior Ministry and heavy equipment, and it has since been transported to the Varna Archaeological Museum for further analysis.