Royal palace found in Roman Forum

This is a big find:

In the last month, archaeologists digging in the Roman Forum have uncovered what they believe to have been a royal palace that dates back to the period [of Rome's legendary foundation].

Andrea Carandini, a professor of archaeology at Rome's Sapienza University, found the traces of what appears to have been a 435 sq metre palace, on the spot where the Temple of Romulus stands.

The palace seems to have had a monumental entrance and ornate furniture and tiles. . .

The walls were made of wood and clay, which archaeologists tested to establish the age of the building. There were a number of covered rooms and the rest was courtyard.

Archaeologists had previously found traces of early Roman civilisation dating back to the eighth century in the same spot, next to the Sanctuary of Vesta, just outside the Palatine walls, but nothing on such a sophisticated or grand scale.

Posted by David on February 15, 2005 8:33 AM