Roman road discovered under McDonald’s restaurant

In 2014, a 2,000-year-old Roman road was discovered on the site of a McDonald’s restaurant in Frattocchie, Italy.

Archaeologists then started excavations, which cost about 300,000 euros.

The road in question was entirely paved and connected to Via Appia, which was the most besieged and oldest route connecting Rome with Brindisi. She was also called regina viarium, meaning “queen of the roads”.

Scientists believe that the discovered fragment of the road (45 meters long and 2 meters wide) connected some small settlement or estate with the Appian Way. The road was built in the 2nd century BCE, but from the 3rd century CE has ceased to be used. What’s more, three skeletons were also discovered near the road, probably buried in the 3rd century CE.

Now at McDonald’s, diners can admire the remains of the Roman road through the glass floor or get a closer look at it by going downstairs.

As stated by the head of McDonald’s in Italy, this is the first McDonald’s restaurant that is also a museum.