Archaeologists have uncovered part of a Roman colosseum buried deep beneath the Tuscan city of Volterra. The amphitheater, 20 to 32 feet below ground, had escaped notice until now and may mark "the most important Roman amphitheater finding over the last century," Discovery News reports.
Located just a mile away from another Roman theater, the structure dates back to the first century A.D and probably measures 262 feet by 196 feet. "This amphitheater was quite large. Our survey dig revealed three orders of seats that could accommodate about 10,000 people. They were entertained by gladiators fights and wild beast baiting," head archaeologist Elena Sorge told Discovery News.
The amphitheater is made from stone and decorated in the Volterra stone "panchino." So far, archaeologists have discovered "a large sculpted stone and the vaulted entrance to a ... covered passageway" through which gladiators might have entered the arena, Discovery News reports.
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With another three years of excavation work, archaeologists hope that the colosseum "could be fully brought to light." "It's puzzling that no historical account records the existence of such an imposing amphitheater," Sorge said. "Possibly, it was abandoned at a certain time and gradually covered by vegetation."
