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Ancient Roman villa discovered beneath high school gym near Colosseum
Fox News • • world
Key Points:
- Archaeologists uncovered an ancient Roman villa beneath the gymnasium of Cavour High School near Rome's Colosseum, following attention brought by students to the rumored site.
- The villa, an upscale domus, features vaulted rooms with faded frescoes, decorative plasterwork, and graffiti dating back to the 1940s and 1950s, indicating prior access.
- The discovery was made after school staff reported accidental findings to Rome’s Special Superintendency, leading to an excavation starting in January 2026.
- History teacher Claudia Marino initially doubted the rumors but later confirmed the ruins' existence after students insisted and explored the basement, revealing the villa behind an iron door.
- Officials plan to open the villa to the public with students acting as guides, adding to a series of recent Roman archaeological discoveries in the city.
