Imperial Roman bridge unearthed during roadworks on Via Tiburtina in Rome

During expansion works on Via Tiburtina at the 11th kilometer (ancient VII mile), archaeologists led by Fabrizio Santi, Stefania Bavastro, and Mara Carcieri of Land Srl have uncovered the central portion of a full-centered arch bridge made of large travertine blocks. The structure, dating to the imperial era, was built to carry the ancient consular road over the Fosso di Pratolungo. The keystone is missing, likely destroyed during medieval and Renaissance renovations when the bridge was demolished and walled up. The fragments lie four meters below street level within an aquifer. After investigations, they will be consolidated for preservation. This discovery follows last winter's find of an earlier bridge (3rd-2nd century BCE) just 25 meters away on the opposite side of the Fosso. Soprintendente Speciale di Roma Daniela Porro announced the find, calling it evidence of Rome's millenary history and a valuable work of Roman engineering that will improve understanding of the area's ancient topography.