ROME: Italian archaeologists on Tuesday (Jan 24) said they may never find the remains of the opening stretch of ancient Rome's first highway, the Appian Way, because underground water makes it impossible to dig deep enough to reach it. Appius Claudius Caecus, a magistrate, started the Appian Way in the 4th
ROME: Italian archaeologists on Tuesday said they may never find the remains of the opening stretch of ancient Rome's first highway, the Appian Way, because underground water makes it impossible to dig deep enough to reach it.
Its legendary"first mile" is believed to lie about eight metres underground next to the ancient Baths of Caracalla, but a months-long effort to unearth it is about to be abandoned as early as this week. Valenzani explained that pumps are working 24/7 to clear water from the digging site and allow exploration, but would not be powerful enough if the excavation were to go deeper.