Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 22:18:07 -0700
UNDERGROUND TUNNELS
Under the Villa of Livia
The Villa of Livia is situated on a tufa-plateau above the
junction between the ancient Via
Flaminia and Via Tiberina by the modern Romansuburb of Prima
Porta approximately fifteen kilometres north of Rome.
This spot has been used for habitation and agriculture probably
since the midddle of the first millennium B.C.
Below the Villa of Livia lies an intricate net of tunnels that
ramifies in different directions. These have been cut through the easily
worked tufa bedrock, known as cappellaccio, and reveals a system of, at
some places, three different levels. Some apparently served as passage
ways for the houshold personel, while some are cuniculi for the
drainage, connected to outlets from the impluvium and other places. Due to
heavy siltation and their moderate dimensions, many of these underground
tunnels still awaits proper exploration.
The Department of Archaeology and Ancient History
From:
Subject: UNDERGROUND TUNNELS Under the Villa of Livia
