Ancient marble staircase found in Rome

April 20, 2008

Italian archeologists said an ancient staircase made of marble was uncovered during excavations beneath Rome's Piazza Venezia.

Rome Archaeological Superintendent Angelo Bottini said the staircase, inset into pink granite and travertine, was discovered during work on a station for Rome's newest metro line. Bottini told ANSA it is an important find.

"It must have been an entrance into an important place but we have to find something in ancient sources if we are to make any circumstantiated hypothesis,'' he said.

The Italian news service said the subway construction project has turned up a trove of archeological treasures over the past 10 months, including Roman taverns, medieval kitchens and remains of Renaissance palaces.

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