Three Roman mausoleums discovered under street during water main replacement

While replacing a water main on Via Tosti in Rome's Appio Latino district, workers uncovered three mausoleums from a funerary complex dating back to the 1st century BCE to 1st century CE, located just 50 centimeters beneath the ground. This significant discovery, led by archaeologist Angelina De Laurenzi from the Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma, includes a substantial cement base and walls made from yellow tuff blocks, opus reticulatum, and sections affected by fire. The complex, which has suffered some damage from earlier construction, is adjacent to the Via Dino Compagni hypogeum from 1956. Archaeologists found painted plaster, a terracotta dog's head, an intact ceramic cinerary urn containing bone remains, and the remains of a young individual. Soprintendente Daniela Porro remarked that this find deepens knowledge of the Via Latina corridor.