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Researchers Uncover Extensive Ancient Roman Road Network
10 Nov
Summary
- New digital atlas shows Roman roads were 50% longer than previously known
- Advances in technology and data sources enabled researchers to locate more ancient roadways
- Researchers analyzed terrain, satellite imagery, and historical records to map over 186,000 miles of Roman roads
According to a groundbreaking new digital atlas published on November 10, 2025, the ancient Roman road network was far more extensive than previously known. The last major atlas of these roads was released 25 years ago, but advances in technology and newly accessible data sources have allowed researchers to greatly expand their understanding of the empire's infrastructure.
Over the past five years, a team of archaeologists combed through historical records, ancient journals, and other archival materials to locate evidence of long-lost Roman roadways. By analyzing satellite imagery, aerial photography, and subtle terrain features, they were able to identify faint traces of roads that had been obscured for centuries. This painstaking work revealed that the Roman road system covered nearly 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) - 50% more than earlier estimates.
The updated map provides a more comprehensive view of the ancient transportation network, including not just the major thoroughfares but also the secondary roads and country lanes that connected farms, villas, and other locations across the empire. This wealth of new data will be invaluable for scholars studying the movement of people, goods, and ideas during the Roman era, as well as the lasting impact of Roman engineering on modern infrastructure.
