Everyone knows that just beneath street level in Florence lies a fascinating archaeological history. The city has Roman, if not Eturscan, foundations.

It seems to me, as a somewhat casual observer living here for almost 5 years, that this top layer is disturbed from time to time, but never really examined in a way I would expect. The issues of disruption to contemporary life is likely the main factor, but also money. There is apparently never enough money to carry out what would need to be a very extensive study. Best, I guess, to let it lie.

Last fall I saw this sign up on the Viale Spartaco Lavagnini, which courses over what would have been the Medieval wall on this border of Florence. The walls were torn down in the 19th century, and major thoroughfares were placed in their stead.

Florence has begun work on another tram via line which will run along this Viale, and, according to the sign posted, some very quick archaeological work was done to determine if anything precious would be destroyed if the tram line goes along here. The signs were only up for about 2 weeks, so I can’t imagine that any kind of serious study was done. But, interesting, no?