Italian Ministry of Culture
The discovery was made in the Via Pietralata area, outside Rome, which has been a major focus of archaeological excavations since the 1990s.
Archaeologists discovered two elite tombs dating back more than 2400 years, to the time of the Roman Republic, near Via Pietralata, on the northeastern outskirts of modern Rome.
The tombs were found inside a small funerary complex next to what appears to have been a sanctuary dedicated to Herculesthe Roman equivalent of the Greek hero Heracles. In Roman culture, Hercules was widely venerated as a symbol of strength, protection and virtue. The archaeological site also includes a section of ancient road and two large monumental stone basins, which are believed to have played a role in ritual or ceremonial activities.
“With these discoveries, the surroundings of Rome reveal themselves deep memory repositoriesstill to be explored,” said Daniela Porro, the Italian government’s chief archaeologist for Rome, in a translated statement.
Archaeological interest in the Via Pietralata area dates back to the 1990s, when the first signs of ancient occupation were identified. More systematic excavations began in 2022 under the direction of government archaeologist Fabrizio Santi. Although the area was located outside Rome’s ancient city walls, it is now fully integrated into the landscape urban modern.
Bronze coins found at the site indicate that the sanctuary was used from the 5th or 4th century BC to the 1st century AD, covering the Rome’s transition from republic to empire. Although some media outlets have claimed the discovery of bronze figurines representing Hercules, the Italian Ministry of Culture has clarified that no figurine of this type has been found. Archaeologists believe that the sanctuary housed a central statue, but it did not survive, says the .
The tombs themselves suggest the presence of a wealthy Roman family group, or gens. One tomb contains a stone sarcophagus along with three funerary urns, while the second contains the remains of an adult male buried intact. These funeral practices reflect elite status and offer information about burial customs during the early Republican period in Rome.
The two monumental basins were built more than a century after the tombs. The largest measures more than 27 meters long and 10 meters wide, while the smallest basin is almost twice as deep. According to Santi, the structures may have been used for ritual purposesalthough its exact purpose remains a mystery.
A key feature of the site is the ancient road leading to a small cult building, or sacelo, probably dedicated to Hercules. Archaeologists say further scientific study will be essential to fully understand how the tombs, sanctuary, road and basins fit into Rome’s constantly evolving ancient landscape.
