Rome's ancient treasures

In the soil beneath Rome, ancient items of value can still be found. Items which should be in museums, but as the years passed, they disappeared into the soil.

We've known for a long time that Italy has a rich historical culture. The Roman Empire left many tracks behind which can still  be visited nowadays, for example the Colosseum or the Pantheon. And because the Romans built new buildings on top of the old ones, there is an amazing amount of temples, houses, roads and aqueducts hidden in the soil. 

Cloaca Maxima

Historians think that the Cloaca Maxima (large sewerage) was built around the sixth century BC. It's one of the oldest still existing constructions in Rome. The sewerage is like a web of tunnels and it discharges into the river Tiber. Around 616 BC, the first part of the sewerage was constructed to drain water from the inhabited areas. The sewerage was made covered during the first century AD, because the activities of Circus Maximus increased and because the city needed more building plot. People used to throw away their trash and a lot of this rubbish stayed kept in the sewerage. There's a chance that you'll find an amphora (a jar with two carrying handels), other potsherds or little sculptures there.

Despite of dikes which were built, the city was still occasionally flooded, so the Romans built upwards. New houses and roads were built on top of the old ones. In a period of three thousand years, Rome's become situated higher and higher. A treasure of ancient items disappeared into the soil. Archaeologists think that they've documented around ten percent of what can be found underground.

Colosseum

With the help of many archaeologists and speleologists, Rome's trying to survey its history. Under the Colosseum a maze of passages is situated. There the gladiators waited and the elevators transported lions, bears and other exotic animals that were brought to where the fights took place. In the first century AD, when the Colosseum was built, the water had to be discharged very quickly during storms. A water reservoir was built under the Colosseum, which was connected to the Cloaca Maxima. Canals were found too, which were probably used for transporting large amounts of water. At least during the first years of its existence, the Colosseum could be submerged, so sea battles could be reconstructed. 

Unforeseen discovery

Discoveries were often made unforeseen, instead of during planned expeditions. For example when a gang of workmen dig a hole in the street and find an underground place. Then speleologists are called over and a remarkable discovery can be made.

This was in case on the Colle Oppio. After a long period of heavy rainfall there spontaneously came a hole in the ground, and a system of underground places was discovered. One of the chambers was 39 feet high and according to archaeologists it was built after Nero's Domus Aurea (golden house) of 65 AD. At the ceiling there was a mosaic, in perfect condition. The mosaic pictured a group of naked men who collected grapes. The mosaic measured a width of 10 feet and it was made of tiny, brightly coloured pieces of marble and other kinds of stone.  

To document

Everything that is found in the soil needs to be documented. Due to this it often happens that construction activities are stopped for a little while. During an average day on the building plot, the excavator has to wait frequently. Someone jumps into the muddy building excavation and tosses the discovered items up. Some things, like potsherds and amphoras, can be laid aside very quickly. Other items, like buildings, need to be sketched, measured or documented otherwise. And sometimes, when something very unique is found, the Italian government can demand that the place is released to the public.

Museum

According to the American Institute for Roman Culture, Rome is the world's biggest museum. There's so much yet to discover. This is Rome, and we still don't know what's beneath it.

Sources: www.todio.nl