The Italian archaeologists have discovered accidentally some mysterious ruins in Rome dating back between the first and fourth century AD, TheLocal said on Tuesday.
During the planned routine, the scientists have found an ‘archaeological enigma’, which could be the remains of one of the Rome’s earliest churches. According to the archaeologists, the ancient church’s remains were found at Ponte Milvio, a bridge along the River Tiber. And it came about completely by chance while electrical technicians, who were laying cables along the site, uncovered remains of buildings dating back to between the first and fourth century AD.
The scientists were amazed by the beauty of church’s remains, coloured marbles sourced from North Africa were used in the building’s floors and walls, suggesting that it served an important purpose either for a Roman noble family or for the local community. As Rome’s Archaeological Superintendency noted, the discovery is just “an archaeological enigma shrouded in mystery”.
Part of these remains look likely to have been used as a warehouse, but it’s an older building on the higher level that has presented archaeologists with a mystery.
Archaeological enigma near River Tiber: scientists have a theory
One of the working superintendency’s theories is old Rome’s church was looking like the remains belonged to “a Roman villa or a Christian place of worship” because of its location close to an early cemetery. It could also be an early religious site, possibly one of Rome’s very first churches, although there were no signs of an altar or religious decoration.
It’s not uncommon for workers to stumble across ancient ruins or remains during routine excavations, as was the case with this find. Work on the capital’s Metro line C was repeatedly delayed by workers coming across centuries-old ruins, including Rome’s oldest aqueduct, and an ancient Roman bathhouse and tombs were unearthed during works on a new church.
