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Construction to a Roman subway line has unearthed an ancient military neighbourhood buried beneath the city.
The 39-room, 1st-century complex is the latest headache for city officials who have already put plans for two other stations on hold after archaeological discoveries, meaning the line risks running under the centre of Rome without stopping to pick up passengers. The latest find came as builders dug at the site of the planned Amba Aradam station near the basilica of San Giovanni and stumbled on a 100m-long corridor about 8m below ground.
Probably built by the emperor Hadrian for Praetorian guards, the barracks is one of a series in the area. “This is an enormously important find which suggests the authorities were afraid of the people and needed protection,” archeologist Rossella Rea said.
The digging for Rome’s so-called C line, which is due to link San Giovanni with St Peter’s basilica, has proved a godsend for underfunded archaeologists, but builders of the line have had to halt progress when a new villa or, in the case of Piazza Venezia, an entire 900-seat, 1st-century auditorium is discovered.
Rome’s archaeological superintendent, Francesco Prosperetti, said the walls, mosaics and frescoes may be removed to allow construction to proceed, before being replaced.
“Moving all of it doesn’t scare us,” he said. “The barracks must not be a problem, but an opportunity to build the most beautiful underground in the world.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
