When in Rome, beware of archaeological ruins.  They are everywhere!

Work, for example, on the current subway expansion to build a third line is underway in the historical center of Rome. But, it had to be stopped for unexpected “archaeological risk.”  While digging down the equivalent of several stories to build a new station, incredible mosaics, as well as 13 human skeletons from what have been identified as the 2000 year old military barracks for Emperor Hadrian’s army, have just been discovered.  The 39 rooms found were used for weapon storage as well as dormitories for the ancient troops.  Some of the rooms were decorated with frescoes as well as mosaics.

Instead of stopping work or relocating the find, the plan is to have an architect design a way to incorporate this discovery into the metro stop itself. It will become Rome’s first “archaeological station,” along the lines of metro museums in places like Athens, Greece, where travelers at a number of subway stops can peruse ancient artifacts as they journey across the capital.

As with all civic engineering in the Eternal City, Rome’s subway system has been plagued by delays not related to archaeology but finance problems.

Rome’s third metro line isn’t scheduled to be completed until 2021. There have been plenty of delays that are a result of a far less visual but just as ancient problem – corruption.

See here for more info:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rome-to-build-first-archaeological-station-after-artifacts-unearthed-in-subway-construction-site/