Tomb Pre-dating Rome Found Under Forum

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:34 pm

Necropolis in Rome dating back to 1000 BC hailed as milestone find

ROME (AP) - Archeologists said Friday they have spotted what appears to be the roof of another tomb in a 3,000-year-old necropolis, the latest discovery about a little-known hut-dwelling people who preceded the legendary founders of Rome by some three centuries.

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Archeologist Alessandro Delfino said the roof is just metres from a tomb he discovered and dug up on Thursday that appears to date to about 1000 BC. The location was under Caesar's Forum, which is part of the sprawling complex of imperial forums in the heart of modern Rome.

Thursday's find set off a storm of excitement among archeologists in Rome, as they anticipate a possible treasure trove of artifacts and architecture that could greatly enlarge knowledge about that period, which roughly straddles the transition from Bronze to Iron ages.

Finding another tomb could "indicate the existence of a series of tombs that were built well before the city's foundation," Delfino said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He said the necropolis was destined for high-ranking personalities - like warriors and ancient priests - heading the tribes and clans that lived in small villages scattered on hills near the area which later spawned one of the world's greatest civilizations.

"The discovery is a milestone for the knowledge of Rome's history," he said. "It allows us to have information on these people's lifestyles, and even on what they ate."

Delfino said a funerary urn that contains human ashes was found in the tomb, as well as bone fragments that appeared to be from a sheep.

"We've found people's possessions, like small miniatures of lances, vases and shields that reproduce the aspects of the dead person's domestic life," he said.

The tomb excavated Thursday is exceptionally big and well-preserved, with its 1.2-metre-wide hut-like roof. Its form resembles a well.

In an 2000-2001 excavation, two other tombs were found in the area, Delfino said. In the early 1900s, other tombs "not quite as old as the more recent finds" were discovered, he said.

LionHeart-112 · Post by **LionHeart-112** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:39 pm

Spewing Italian propanganda in hopes of changing young Muslim minds.

Aristocrat-1 · Post by **Aristocrat-1** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:58 pm

necropolis is'nt that people who are attracted to dead people!lool Laughing

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:00 pm

No, that be necrophilia. Necropolis means literally, "dead city." (dead city)

Aristocrat-1 · Post by **Aristocrat-1** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:05 pm

Mike damn man i was kidding i know what it means as "philia" is latin for to like.

and necro = latin for dead. ie Hydrophilic = likes water

i mean i am just too witty for the inhabitants of our colonies! Laughing

p.s. for no reason i just wana say COME ON ITALIA in the world cup!

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:09 pm

Well, ya never know sometimes with these here inhabitants. I've seen too much shoit taken literally here! Laughing

But I guess your " Laughing

" emoticons should've been an indicator. Laughing

LaDy-Qac · Post by **LaDy-Qac** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:15 pm

Damn

I remember back in high school we had to learn about roman history but I always used to skip those lessons and go shopping instead Laughing

. History can sometimes be so boring Very Happy

.

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:17 pm

Shoping's ALWAYS more fun! But personally, being Canadian, I loved history and geopgraphy. Very Happy

LionHeart-112 · Post by **LionHeart-112** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:18 pm

[quote="LaDy-Qac"]Damn

I remember back in high school we had to learn about roman history but I always used to skip those lessons and go shopping instead Laughing

. History can sometimes be so boring Very Happy

.[/quote]

U know what else is boring?

Gudibirsi tribe. Laughing

What a ditz. Skipping school to shop?

lack of common sense.

Aristocrat-1 · Post by **Aristocrat-1** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:18 pm

Mike

with all the damnd refs here i suppose things should be made very clear! Laughing

P.S. for no reason i wish to declare my love forLadyQac Laughing

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:20 pm

'Crat, you can't. I've already declared my love for her!! Very Happy

LaDy-Qac · Post by **LaDy-Qac** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:24 pm

Mikey

Actually I wasn' t bad at geography. I'm more of a science girl. Nothing can beat Biology and chemistry IMO. It' s much more easier for me to grasp than. Once you understand the concepts you can apply it to different situations Smile

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:28 pm

Biology's cool, but when you start getting into all the formulae involved in chemistry, my eyes roll back in my head! Laughing

I was more of a Lit. guy. Very Happy

Cawar · Post by **Cawar** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:28 pm

Mike

I heard/read Paul Martin is in big trouble so are the Liberals...whats the sense among ppl now a days??

Do you think the Alliance will pull this one off?? I hate to see my Beloved Canada turn into a conservative land just like here in the States.

Post by **Nabeela** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:32 pm

[quote="Cawar"]Mike

I heard/read Paul Martin is in big trouble so are the Liberals...whats the sense among ppl now a days??

Do you think the Alliance will pull this one off?? I hate to see my Beloved Canada turn into a conservative land just like here in the States.[/quote]

God help us all if conservative win... their leader scares me. *shudders*

p.s i'm voting for NDP..yaayaa