SHARE
COPY LINK

ARCHEOLOGY

Mini Pompeii found in Rome during metro line excavations

Excavations to finish metro Line C in the capital continue to throw up ancient Roman archeological finds. After a military barracks last year, the latest discovery is two Pompeian buildings near the Aurelian Wall.

Mini Pompeii found in Rome during metro line excavations
File Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Two ancient Roman edifices have been discovered during excavations to extend Metro Line C in Rome. Archeologists were undertaking reinforcement works on monuments near the new public transport line when the ancient solarium was discovered, still in excellent condition, not far from metro station Amba Aradam in the capital, near the city's Aurelian Walls.

The discovery came about as archeologists had descended to more than 10 metres below ground level to reinforce the Aurelian Walls, which lie near where the new public transport line is being extended. The discovery of the solarium follows that of an army barracks in Via Ipponio, also during the construction of Line C.

The structure found has Pompeian qualities, according to the experts who discovered it, in that the solarium and adjacent structures were preserved thanks to a fire on site during the 3rd century AD. Archeological discoveries are not rare in Rome, although sites where wood is preserved are “extremely rare given the age of the site,” according to a press release by the Ministry of Culture. 

READ MORE: Rome workers unearth ancient baths and tombs

Such well-preserved sites only occur thanks to exceptional climactic conditions or, equally rarely, in places such as Ercolano and Pompeii. Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption from Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79 and the city was preserved in volcanic ash.

READ MORE: Newly restored ruins lure thousands to Pompeii

The preservation of wooden parts, such as in the solarium recently discovered however, is unique for Rome as wood is only preserved over such a long period in exceptional circumstances, albeit carbonized.

Frescoes and plaster fragments were also recovered at the site. Besides pieces of furniture, sculptures and windows, the skeleton of a dog was also found on the doorstep of the house, carbonized on impact during the fire.  

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology is set to undertake a study to determine whether seismic activity could have been the cause of the fire. 

One hypothesis suggests the structure was part of the aristocratic homes on the Caelian Hill, near where it was found, one of the Seven Hills of Rome. Archeologists have descended to 10 metres below ground level to assess the impact of the metro line works on ancient Roman monuments. Reinforcements will continue for another 4 metres still. 

READ MORE: Italy roadworks unearth frescoed Roman room

 

 

ARCHEOLOGY

5,000 year-old German skeleton find reveals ancient diet and lifestyle

German researchers are piecing together the life of a prehistoric woman who died more than 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic period, after her skeleton was found during excavation works for wind turbines.

5,000 year-old German skeleton find reveals ancient diet and lifestyle
The skeleton of Lady of Bietikow, discovered in Brandenburg. Photo: DPA

The “Lady of Bietikow,” as she has been named, was found near a village of the same name in northeastern Germany's Uckermark region.

The skeleton had been buried in a settlement in a squatting position, one of the oldest known forms of burial, according to local media.

Investigations have shown that she was between 30 and 45 years old and died more than 5,000 years ago.

That means that she lived during the same period as Oetzi the Iceman, the stunningly preserved corpse found by tourists in the Alps in the 1990s.

READ ALSO: German scientists find runes on ancient comb

“You can compare Oetzi and the Lady of Bietikow in terms of age,” said Philipp Roskoschinski, one of the two archaeologists who made the discovery in the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin.

Oetzi was found by two hikers in 1991 in the Oetztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy.

His body was extremely well preserved, with organs, skin and other organic material still intact — researchers were even able to see what he had eaten hours before he died.

The Uckermark region, which is often dubbed the Toscana of northern Germany. Photo: DPA

“The discovery of Oetzi was much more spectacular due to the conditions of preservation,” Roskoschinski said.

All that is left of Lady Bietikow are bones and some fragments of clothing, but researchers have still managed to piece together some details about her life.

It was during the Neolithic period that humans first introduced grains into their diet, since they could be stored more easily than meat and could also be used as a means of payment, according to anthropologist Bettina Jungklaus.

However, this led to a deterioration in people's general health.

This can be seen in the state of the Lady of Bietikow's teeth, which are severely eroded and missing completely in some places, Jungklaus said.

“Normally there is enamel on the surface of the teeth. But here it is heavily worn, chewed off,” she said.

“This allows us to draw conclusions about her diet: it was probably very rich in fibre, very hard. There are certain grains that cause the teeth to wear out easily.”

It remains unclear whether the condition of Lady Bietikow's teeth indicates an illness or even the cause of her death.

Researchers are now hoping to find out more about her life, including whether she came from the Uckermark region or had immigrated there from elsewhere.

SHOW COMMENTS