Anthropology

Judi Lynn

(162,379 posts) Wed Mar 7, 2018, 11:40 PM Mar 2018

Romes Subway Project Keeps Digging Up Archaeological Marvels

By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO MARCH 7, 2018

Archaeologists believe the richly decorated house belonged to the commander of a military complex that was found
at the site two years ago. Credit Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma

ROME — For archaeologists, the excavation of Rome’s newest subway line has been the gift that keeps on giving.

Two years after a second-century military barracks was found during the excavation of the Amba Aradam station, archaeologists last week presented the remains of a richly decorated domus, or house, that they believe belonged to the commander of the military post.

Even after the discovery of the military complex, “we didn’t imagine that we’d find a house with a central courtyard,” a fountain and at least 14 rooms, said Simona Morretta, the state archaeologist responsible for the site. One of the rooms appears to have been heated.

The foundation of another structure, equal in size but far less opulent, was also excavated at the same level, some 40 feet below the surface. Archaeologists believe it was probably used as a warehouse.

More:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/arts/rome-subway-archaeological-marvels.html

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Romes Subway Project Keeps Digging Up Archaeological Marvels (Original Post) Judi Lynn Mar 2018 OP

Awesome! Israel has the same "problem." I say "problem" becuuse it is so difficult to build subways, Nitram Mar 2018 #1

I saw a TV show about a different site that was discovered BigmanPigman Mar 2018 #4

It would be neat... forgotmylogin Mar 2018 #2

When I was a working librarian, murielm99 Mar 2018 #3

The New World will never compare to the Old when it comes to the layers and layers Nitram Mar 2018 #5

Nitram

(24,604 posts)

1. Awesome! Israel has the same "problem." I say "problem" becuuse it is so difficult to build subways,

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Mar 8, 2018, 09:43 AM

Mar 2018

roads, and building foundations when every shovelful of dirt uncovers priceless archaeological treasures that will take 6 months to a year to uncover and preserve.

BigmanPigman

(52,250 posts)

4. I saw a TV show about a different site that was discovered

Reply to Nitram (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 10, 2018, 12:44 AM

Mar 2018

a short while ago while building the subway in Rome and this seems to be a common "problem". This is what happens when you build one city on top of another.

With Climate Change in our present and future I bet this will be happening along a lot of coastal areas on Earth. Abandoned cities and move them inland or raise them higher over the original structures.

forgotmylogin

(7,676 posts)

2. It would be neat...

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Mar 9, 2018, 12:49 PM

Mar 2018

if they could somehow incorporate the ruins safely into the station for people to visit, almost like a museum exhibit contained within public transit.

murielm99

(31,433 posts)

3. When I was a working librarian,

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Mar 9, 2018, 01:01 PM

Mar 2018

I met an architect who was working for the state (Illinois). They were doing a highway project and had to have an archaeologist on site in case they uncovered anything archaeologically significant.

Nitram

(24,604 posts)

5. The New World will never compare to the Old when it comes to the layers and layers

Reply to murielm99 (Reply #3)

Sat Mar 10, 2018, 10:23 AM

Mar 2018

of cities and towns built over thousands of years. We have remains of Native American dwellings that old, but not of continuous building and habitation over millennia.

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