Discoveries and news in Rome

In June this year, in the south of France, in Alès, archaeologists made an extraordinary discovery – the remains of a vast Roman settlement, inhabited from the 2nd to the 6th century CE, were discovered.

Archaeologists have recently come across some interesting finds in Pompeii, including a counter where quick meals were served, which we would now call “fast food”.

A colossal marble head depicting an adult man with flowing hair and a focused expression has been discovered in Trajan’s Forum in Rome. The find comes from excavations on the Via Alessandrina, on the site of the former Porticus Trisigmentata—a monumental colonnade that served as the entrance to Trajan’s Forum.

In the British county of Gloucestershire (south-west England), an extraordinary archaeological discovery was made, which began completely by accident – ​​with the discovery of two Roman swords by an amateur with a metal detector. This discovery became the impetus for extensive research, which revealed the existence of an extensive settlement complex of Romans from the 1st-2nd centuries CE.

Archaeologists excavating at Drumanagh Fort, north of Dublin, Ireland, have discovered an unprecedented artifact – an intact Roman jug. Previously, only fragments of Roman vessels had been found, but never a complete vessel. The finds demonstrate the intensity of the local population’s trade relations with the Romans.

In Giugliano, Italy (near Naples), on the site of the former Roman settlement of Liternum, archaeologists have made a spectacular discovery – they have uncovered a 2,000-year-old necropolis with a unique tomb, probably belonging to a gladiator.

In May 2025, a pair of volunteers discovered a relief of the winged Roman goddess of victory, Victoria, at Vindolanda, a Roman fort in northern England. The 47 cm high relief was found in the rubble of a former infantry barracks and is dated to the early 3rd century CE.

In Pompeii, in Insula 10 (Casa del Tiaso) in Region IX, archaeologists have discovered an exceptional fresco depicting rituals related to the cult of Dionysus. It is located in the large banquet hall and decorates three walls of the room, while the fourth opens onto the garden.

Archaeologists have uncovered moving evidence of a family’s desperate attempt to survive the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE in a house named “Helle and Phrixus” after a fresco of the mythological siblings. The remains of four people, including a child, were found in a bedroom. The remains of a bed were also discovered, probably used as a door barricade to protect against falling ash and lapilli that entered through the open roof of the atrium.

Marble statue of Mercury (Greek Hermes), the messenger god and patron of trade, from the Roman Empire (2nd-3rd century CE) was discovered in the ancient city of Aspendos (southern Turkey).