Sharjah24 – AFP: It doesn't look like much from the outside, but a building in central Rome holds a hidden treasure in the basement: the remains of a Roman era home, including elaborate mosaics.
At the entrance of the 1950s building at the foot of Rome's Aventine Hill, all appears normal, with a resident loaded with shopping bags kindly holding the door.
But venture a bit further, and down a short flight of stairs one arrives at the prize, hiding behind an ordinary grey metal door.
It is there where mosaics from a Roman "domus", or home, dating from between the first century BC to the second century AD, are visible.
Ensuing generations of Romans imposed six different levels of floors over the ages until in 2014, the remains were revealed by excavations to transform the former headquarters of the National Bank of Labour into an apartment building after its purchase by French bank BNP Paribas.
The mosaics depict sinewy vines creeping from pots, black and white geometric patterns, and even a bright green parrot perched atop a branch.
Doors opened to the public on Friday after four years of technologicallycomplex excavation work that was completed in 2018.
A multimedia visit greets the public, using plays of light and a soundtrack punctuated with bird songs to transform the atmosphere once again into the Roman "domus" of a wealthy family.
The light show imposes brightly coloured paintings reminiscent of those of Pompeian villas on the walls, while missing portions of mosaics are replaced as if by magic.
Undoubtedly, the former home better evokes more of its original splendour -- even after the passing of more than 2,000 years -- through the chosen format rather than transforming all elements to a museum.
During the study of an area of over 2,000 square metres (21,528 square feet), archaeologists unearthed even more finds, some dating back as far as the eighth century BC, including the remains of a military construction that may have been a watchtower. Its foundations are still visible.
Residents are "proud" of the former Roman home below them, according to Narducci, and they have preferential access when the site is open to the public.
A deal between Rome's cultural assets department and the condominium provides for visits by the public on the first and third Friday of each month, under the supervision of a guide.
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