Sewers and underground corridors, damp and dark places that hide thousands of stories. And even more so if we find ourselves in the Colosseum in Rome, the great amphitheater that for centuries hosted a multitude of shows. In the bowels of this imposing building you can still find impressive details of its trajectory, evidence of its popular events.
Italian archaeologists have spent an entire year excavating sewers and interior passageways, uncovering remains of the foods ancient Romans ate during bloody gladiator fights in the Colosseum: olives, nuts, meats, cherries, grapes, figs, blackberries and peaches from 1,900 years ago.
The drainage system of the amphitheater also concealed a huge amount of animal bones. From bears to big cats, including prey that was chased during hunting games in the Roman arena, explained Alfonsina Russo, director of the archaeological park, last week.
What surprised the researchers the most, however, was the sheer number of dachshund bones they found. His theory is that they were used to perform stunts or even worse, thrown into the arena to fight larger and more ferocious beasts.
“These animals, ancestors of modern dachshunds (created in the 18th century in Germany), were less than 30 centimeters tall. We believe they may have been used to perform acrobatic tricks, just as you would see in a modern-day circus. Or it may be that they took part in staged hunts (the "venationes") or even attacked bears and the like. We don't know for sure," Russo said.
Their remains were found mixed with those of large dogs, leopards, lions, bears and ostriches. But more than 50 bronze coins from the late Roman period also turned up in the ancient drains, as well as a silver coin from around 170-171 AD. to commemorate the 10 years of rule of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The excavation focused on the clearing of around 70 meters of drains and sewers under the south side of the Colosseum and is considered to shed particular light on the last years of its use before it fell into disuse around 523 AD. .
The thousand-year-old Flavian Amphitheater (or Roman Colosseum), whose construction began in the time of Vespasian in the first century, was accumulating rubbish for decades. Objects that were thrown directly from the stands and fell into oblivion in the depths of the facility.
Fragments of the plants that were used to decorate those days of bread and circuses, such as the laurel or the boxwood bush, have also appeared in the rock sewers. In addition, dice and objects for personal use have emerged, such as an ivory insignia, as well as clothing such as shoes or leather fragments.
"This important research work has allowed us to better understand the operation of the Colosseum in terms of its hydraulic system, but also to delve into the life and habits of the Romans who frequented this place during the long days of shows", concluded Alfonsina Russo.
