Archaeological remains have been discovered during digging works taking place on the site where the new Kirkop secondary school will be built, the Department of Information said.

The remains include seven tombs cut into the rock, and have been dated to the early Roman times. There is also the possibility that part of the remains are of Christian catacombs.

The place where the remains were found is close to other catacombs in the area.

The Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools, which is responsible for the project, ordered that the work continues under the direction of the Cultural Heritage Superintendent.

The plans for the school are now being redesigned to include the tombs as part of the complex.

Soil has been removed and the fields nearby are also being dug up in search of other possible remains.

In 1967, catacombs in Zebbieh Road, Kirkop, were found at a stone’s throw from this recent discovery.