ROME – White outside its marble that covers its facade. And in red, like the blood that flowed in gladiator fights. But black and sky blue. Thus appeared the Colosseum in Ancient Rome. It was discovered, thanks to a few square meters of polychrome decorations intact, archaeologists and restorers who are working on a service tunnel on the third level. A gallery ever open to the public and, for the summer, will finally be visited.
EXCEPTIONAL IMPORTANCE – It is a discovery of great importance because it allows, finally, to know what color was the Flavian Amphitheater. Restoration work began in October have discovered a few square meters of plaster that return the original polychrome decoration of the Colosseum.
Azurite-In particular, the walls of the Flavian Amphitheatre were covered with red, with red and white travertine blocks and stretches of azurite in plaster, probably settle on time, a heaven or a seascape. It’s up to archaeologists studying the decorations and determine the real nature and age.
GLADIATORS – were also found special decorations: two fouls – probably after the fire of AD-217, aprotopaici designs that were used to ward off bad luck. And original graffiti pining for the gladiators and their deeds with palms, crowns, swords and arrow tips.
VISITORS-The restoration on one hundred square feet of gallery of the third level began in October and were completed 60 square meters at a cost of 80 thousand euro funded by the Special Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Rome. And unless of surprises, the tunnel remained closed to the public so far, will be open as early as next summer.