# Ephesus Twin Infant Tomb – New Findings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ephesus-twin-infant-burial-discovery > Updated: 2026-07-31T23:27:08.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4. Archaeologists at the ancient Roman‑Byzantine site of Ephesus have continued to examine a sealed stone cist discovered beneath a disused toilet channel close to the Temple of Artemis. Radiocarbon dating places the burial in the 8th–9th century AD, linking it to early Byzantine Christian customs. The cist contained two pre‑term infants, interpreted as twins born around 33–34 weeks gestation, positioned side‑by‑side with heads to the west and feet to the east. One infant displayed a rare supernumerary cervical rib, an anomaly seen in about 1 % of modern populations. The bodies were wrapped in cloth and protected by stone and brick, suggesting a deliberate, respectful interment rather than ordinary cemetery disposal. No grave goods or signs of trauma were found. Researchers Lilli Zabrana and Caroline Partiot of the Austrian Academy of Sciences noted the unusual location within an abandoned latrine of a Roman odeon, proposing that burial before baptism may have been prohibited, prompting the family to use this marginal space. The findings were published in the journal *Childhood in the Past*, and DNA sequencing is planned to confirm twin status and explore neonatal mortality and genetic traits in the population. ## Claims - Two premature newborn skeletons were discovered in an abandoned Roman latrine at the sanctuary of Artemis in Ephesus. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The burial dates to the 8th–9th century AD (mid‑Byzantine period). (corroborated by 6 sources) - The infants were approximately 33–34 weeks gestational age, indicating prematurity. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The infants were likely twins, based on similar age and burial side by side. (corroborated by 6 sources) - No evidence of trauma or infection was found on the skeletons. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The bodies were carefully wrapped, possibly in cloth, indicating deliberate burial. (corroborated by 6 sources) - DNA analysis is required to confirm whether the infants were biologically twins. (corroborated by 6 sources) - One infant had an extra cervical rib, a rare skeletal trait. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Ephesus Twin Infant Tomb Reveals Rare Cervical Rib Archaeologists in Ephesus, Turkey uncovered a stone tomb in a former Roman latrine near the Temple of Artemis containing two 1,200‑year‑old premature twins; one skeleton shows a rare extra cervical rib, hinting 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ephesus-twin-infant-tomb-reveals-rare-cervical-rib ### 2026-07-27: 1,200‑year‑old tomb found under Roman toilet in Ephesus, Turkey A 1,200‑year‑old tomb beneath a Roman latrine in Ephesus, Turkey held pre‑term twin infants, one with an extra rib, offering new insights into ancient health and burial customs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/1200yearold-tomb-found-under-roman-toilet-in-ephesus-turkey ### 2026-07-25: Twin Premature Infants Buried in 12th‑Century Ephesus Latrine Near Artemis Temple Archaeologists at Ephesus' Artemis sanctuary uncovered two 12th‑century premature newborns, likely twins, buried carefully in an old Roman latrine; one had a rare extra cervical rib. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/twin-infant-graves-unearthed-in-ancient-ephesus-archaeological-site ### 2026-07-23: Ephesus Ancient Latrine Yields 8th‑Century Twin Infant Grave A cist in a former latrine at Ephesus, Turkey, held two premature infants, likely twins, dated to the 8th‑9th century; researchers say the careful burial reflects early Christian protective rites. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ephesus-child-burial-unearthed-in-ancient-roman-latrine --- Cite as: Ephesus Twin Infant Tomb – New Findings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ephesus-twin-infant-burial-discovery