A mini Pompeii? 1,800-year-old ruins discovered in Rome metro excavation

By Ben Wedeman, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 12:38 PM EDT, Fri June 30, 2017
The charred remains of a lavish third-century home are the most recent discovery found during the construction of Rome's new metro line.
The charred remains of a lavish third-century home are the most recent discovery found during the construction of Rome's new metro line.
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis News/Corbis via Getty Images
This discovery is particularly interesting because the fire that destroyed the house left some things intact, including wooden beams that, under normal circumstances, would have decayed ages ago.
This discovery is particularly interesting because the fire that destroyed the house left some things intact, including wooden beams that, under normal circumstances, would have decayed ages ago.
Ben Wedeman
One of the most surprising finds was the skeleton of a dog who, according to archaeologist Simone Morretta, was likely stuck in the house after part of the burning ceiling fell.
One of the most surprising finds was the skeleton of a dog who, according to archaeologist Simone Morretta, was likely stuck in the house after part of the burning ceiling fell.
Ben Wedeman
Other finds include a fragment of mosaic flooring...
Other finds include a fragment of mosaic flooring...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...a wall fragment...
...a wall fragment...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...part of a piece of furniture...
...part of a piece of furniture...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...and parts of the burnt wooden ceiling.
...and parts of the burnt wooden ceiling.
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Items from ancient times are found more often than you might think. In September 2015, British archaeologists discovered<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/20/architecture/britain-pompeii-bronze-age-discovery/"> </a>a small but prehistoric site that they say provides a genuine snapshot of life in the Bronze Age, some 3000 years ago.
Items from ancient times are found more often than you might think. In September 2015, British archaeologists discovered a small but prehistoric site that they say provides a genuine snapshot of life in the Bronze Age, some 3000 years ago.
Cambridge Archaeology Unit
The earliest known stone copy of the Ten Commandments sold at auction in Beverly Hills in 2016 for $850,000.
The earliest known stone copy of the Ten Commandments sold at auction in Beverly Hills in 2016 for $850,000.
Heritage Auctions
The stone was first uncovered in 1913.
The stone was first uncovered in 1913.
Heritage Auctions