VEIO, Italy — A suspected tomb raider turned police informant has led archeologists to what experts described Friday as the oldest known frescoed burial chamber in Europe.

The tomb, located on a hilly wheat field north of Rome, belonged to a warrior prince from the nearby Etruscan town of Veio, according to archeologists who took journalists on a tour of the site.

Dating to about 690 BC, the underground burial chamber is decorated with roaring lions and migratory birds.

"This princely tomb is unique and it marks the origin of western painting," said Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli, referring to the ancient art of burial painting.

Authorities were led to the site in May by an Italian on trial for trafficking in illegally excavated artifacts. He disclosed the location of the tomb in hopes of gaining leniency from the court, said Carabinieri Gen. Ugo Zottin.