Sprawling ruins of the 2,000-year-old luxury villa of a Roman military commander have been unearthed during work to expand the Italian capital’s subway system.
Archaeologists working on Rome’s Metro C line uncovered the second century AD residence, or domus, adjoining a military barracks excavated in 2016.
The richly decorated dwelling is complete with a well-preserved geometric design mosaic, marble floors and frescoed walls.
Sprawling ruins of the second-century home of a Roman military commander have been unearthed during work to expand the Italian capital’s subway system. The residence, or domus, was found 40 feet (12 metres) below the city’s surface. It includes at least 14 rooms and a fountain in a central courtyard. One of the rooms appears to have been heated
Government official have described the find as ‘an ‘astounding archaeological construction site.’ The richly decorated dwelling is complete with a well-preserved geometric design mosaic, marble floors and frescoed walls
Government official Francesco Prosperetti, special superintendent for the Colosseum, the National Roman Museum and the archaeological area of Rome, described the find as an ‘astounding archaeological construction site.’
The domus, found 40 feet (12 metres) below the city’s surface, includes at least 14 rooms and a fountain in a central courtyard. One of the rooms appears to have been heated.
Foundations for a separate structure of around the same size but with a more spartan interior were uncovered at around the same depth. Experts think it was probably used as a warehouse.
Archaeologists at the site say they were surprised by the find, as well as how well it had been preserved.
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Source: Daily Mail
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