Šarkamen: Unique Roman imperial bath discovered in palace tower

Archaeologists have discovered a unique imperial balneum, or private bath, located within a corner tower of a Roman residential palace at the Šarkamen site in eastern Serbia. The discovery, reported by the Archaeological Institute, reveals a circular bathhouse situated at the lowest level of the monumental southwest tower.

The structure features a sophisticated dome pierced by six window openings, a design that demonstrates advanced architectural and engineering skills for the period. Researchers noted that the placement of this bath within a corner tower has no known direct analogues within the Roman Empire.

The Šarkamen-Vrelo complex is a significant Late Antiquity site dating back to the early 4th century. It is associated with the Roman Emperor Maximian, a ruler of the Tetrarchy. This latest find follows the discovery of a unique set of gold jewelry in the site's mausoleum three decades ago, further suggesting the residence was more complex and luxurious than previously understood.