Archaeologists in Rome have announced the discovery of a luxurious residential villa dating back to the mid-second century AD, located beneath the floor of a high school gymnasium near the Colosseum.
This discovery came after secret explorations by students at the Leccio Scientifico Cavour high school in Italy led to the identification of the archaeological site.
For many years, school students had been exchanging stories about mysterious rooms hidden beneath the hall floor, without anyone taking these rumors seriously.
But things changed when, during informal explorations, the students found an ancient structure in the secret tunnels and informed their teacher, Claudia Marino - a Latin history teacher - who in turn informed the relevant authorities.
The excavation teams did not begin work at the site until January 2026.
Archaeologists arrived at the site to conduct a detailed investigation, and excavation work began earlier this year. They confirmed that the dark corridors and dimly lit rooms did indeed belong to a luxurious residential villa from the middle of the second century AD, thus confirming what had remained mere tales for many years.
The rooms found beneath the school's gymnasium are part of a residential building dating back to the mid-2nd century AD. According to an inscription discovered during excavations in the late 19th century, this house is believed to have belonged to a member of the Umbrian family.
Although little is known about this family, researchers believe they originally came from the Samnium region of south-central Italy, an area near Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This ancient house is known as the Domus Leccio Cavour, meaning "Cavour's High School House."
The excavation work resulted in the discovery of exceptional murals in red, human figures, plant motifs, as well as stucco decorations adorning the ceiling vaults.
In one of the chambers, archaeologists discovered a mosaic made of large, irregularly shaped tiles, a style popular among the Roman elite at the time. Alongside these ancient remains, more recent graffiti was also found on the walls, left by students, tourists, and explorers who visited the tunnels during the 20th century.
Only a small part of this villa has been explored so far, as it extends far beneath the building. However, further excavation is likely to take place in the future.
The school, in cooperation with the Antiquities Authority, plans to eventually open the site to visitors, with the possibility that the students themselves will act as tour guides for this unique archaeological landmark.
