Rome Unearths Ancient Treasures on New Metro Line

Two new subway stations have opened in Rome, one adjacent to the iconic Colosseum, integrating modern transportation with visible ancient Roman artifacts. Commuters and tourists can now view displays of pottery, wells, and ruins from a first-century dwelling, alongside visual records of the excavation process.

The extensive Metro C line, a project spanning two decades and costing approximately 7 billion euros, has been subject to numerous delays. Bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, and particularly the discovery of significant Roman and medieval underground ruins have significantly slowed its progress. Construction managers highlighted the challenge of building under substantial groundwater while preserving these valuable archaeological finds.

Another station, Porta Metronia, also inaugurated, features a nearly 80-meter military barracks from the second century and a home with well-preserved frescoes. The ongoing excavation in central Rome continues to uncover layers of civilization, with over 500,000 artifacts found to date. Advanced techniques like ground freezing are employed to manage the delicate archaeological environment as the line extends towards key heritage sites.