Discoveries and news in Rome

In August this year, three tourists were caught destroying the walls of the Colosseum by etching their names. Recently, the Italian prosecutor’s office has completed its investigation and it has been decided to charge all three people with the destruction and disfigurement of landscape heritage, for which they face 2-5 years in prison.

If someone has knowledge of the English language and is interested in participating in a free online course on the history of ancient Rome, he is lucky. The Coursera platform hosts a highly acclaimed lecture by Professor David Soren from the University of Arizona.

In 2018, there was an amazing discovery in York (England). During renovation works under the hotel swimming pool, human remains were found, dating back to the Roman period in Britain.

Using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence, in 2018 scientists discovered traces of red and yellow pigments on distance-measuring stones that are part of the fortifications of the Antonin Wall in Britain.

Reconstruction of the villa Pliny the Younger in the city of Laurentum, in Latium, between Ostia and Lavinium.

At the bottom of the eastern port of Alexandria, 3 Roman shipwrecks, an Egyptian votive candle for the god Osiris, and some minor artefacts were discovered.

Scientists found a bronze coin that dates back to 132 CE, the moment of the famous Jewish uprising, the so-called Bar-Kochba rebellion that targeted the Roman occupation. Until now, scientists believed that the insurgents were not supported by the local population north of Jerusalem, in the mountainous region of Samaria. As it turns out, the discovered artefact proves that the extent of the revolt was greater than previously thought.

Amazing news spread around the Polish media. Scientists reportedly found remains of Roman equestrian equipment and legionaries’ clothing. Most artefacts were found between the villages of Gąski and Wierzbiczany (Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship).

In eastern Serbia, the remains of a Roman mausoleum from the 3rd century CE were found. The discovery took place at an excavation site in Viminacium, east of Belgrade, near the town of Kostolac.

In 2018, in the Swiss city of Kaiseraugst (the northern part of the country), which in Roman times was called Augusta Raurica, scientists found an interesting example of a Roman house. Namely, it had a storage box that, according to researchers, could serve as an antique refrigerator. Due to the assumptions, reconstruction works have been started.