Researchers from the University of Liverpool have uncovered a surprising trove in the ancient sewers beneath Rome’s Colosseum, including a variety of snacks that survived for nearly two millennia. HeritageDaily confirms that these finds shed light on everyday life during the empire, offering a rare glimpse into the remains that modern archaeologists can study today.
The Colosseum itself stands as a colossal amphitheater capable of hosting around 65,000 spectators. It served as the stage for brutal spectacles where audiences watched executions, the release of game animals, theatrical performances, and the dramatic clashes of gladiators. The structure’s reputation as a hub of public entertainment is matched by a complex underground network designed to manage the flow of people, animals, and waste. HeritageDaily notes that the site’s historic role as a gathering place for Roman citizens remains a focal point for researchers tracing daily life in ancient Rome.
Since January 2021, excavations have focused on the amphitheater’s sewer system, an area that often yields the most intimate clues about past habits. A collaborative team of architects and archaeologists has employed robotics to probe the drains, uncovering not only architectural details but also organic remnants. The robotic surveys brought to light bear and big cat bones, along with fragments of figs, grapes, cherries, blackberries, and walnuts, all of which provide a tangible link to the dietary practices of ancient audiences and workers alike. HeritageDaily highlights how these food remnants help historians reconstruct what people ate in the shadow of one of Rome’s greatest monuments.
Dating the finds places them roughly 1900 years in the past, situating them in the late Republic to early Empire era. Archaeologists estimate the context as belonging to the first century BC through the early centuries AD, a period marked by dynamic political change and cultural exchange. Among the metallic discoveries are 50 bronze coins dating to the 1st century BC, with one silver coin dating to 170–171 AD, which aligns with the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. These coins offer precious tidbits about the economy and trade networks that circulated around the Colosseum and its surrounding urban landscape. HeritageDaily’s account emphasizes how such coins anchor the site within a broader financial history rather than as isolated curiosities.
In the late antiquity phase, the amphitheater’s story took another turn. By the end of the 6th century AD, a small chapel was erected atop the edifice, marking a shift in use and symbolism. Over time, a cemetery emerged adjacent to the structure, reflecting the evolving landscape of religious and social functions around the arena. As centuries passed, the monument saw a transformation into a fortress intended to control access to the nearby commercial and residential area, including the Lateran Palace and the papal residence. By the 14th century, the site’s function shifted again, becoming a haven for bandits, a vivid illustration of how historical sites can be repurposed across eras. HeritageDaily provides context for how these successive layers of use illuminate the long arc of the Colosseum’s life beyond its original purpose.
Together, these discoveries—from subterranean dietary scraps to late-antique coins and the site’s evolving role in the city’s power dynamics—paint a multifaceted portrait of the Colosseum. They underscore the value of integrating modern technology, like robotic surveying, with careful excavation to deepen understanding of ancient urban life. The work also highlights the resilience of material culture, where everyday items such as seeds, snacks, and coins survive long after the events that produced them, offering researchers a tangible connection to people who lived, worked, and watched events at Rome’s grand amphitheater. HeritageDaily’s synthesis of these findings helps frame a broader narrative about how architectural wonders and human habits intersect in the long story of a city that has always been a crossroads of history.