Archaeologists uncover hidden Christian church within Ancient Roman bathhouse
The Appian Way Regional Park, an urban park in Rome, announced the discovery in a Facebook post earlier in May. Officials said the discovery was made at the Triton Baths, located within the Villa of Sette Bassi.
Historians found that, in ancient times, the complex was "transformed" into a church.
"[It] contained a marble-lined basin, interpreted as an ancient baptistery," said the post, which was translated from Italian to English.
The baths date back to the second century A.D. Though the park did not specify what year the church was developed, scholars generally say that Late Antiquity occurred between the third and sixth centuries.
Bathhouses were a significant part of daily life in Ancient Rome and Greece, where they were considered social settings for both military personnel and civilians.
Some lavish complexes also included exercise facilities and heated rooms for relaxation, resembling modern gyms.
By studying the basin at the Triton Baths, archaeologists were able to determine how the Ancient Roman complex was transformed into a baptismal setting.
"The basin shows two renovations: a first deeper basin followed by a second phase in which the bottom was raised," the announcement noted.
"The rite of baptism, which in larger basins involved a full immersion of the believer, represented – especially in earlier times – the most important sacrament for adhering to the new religion."
Appian Way Regional Park said archaeologists "are likely facing a baptismal church, with burial rights."
"The presence of a bishop's seat in the heart of the Roman countryside could explain the presence of the numerous burials identified," the statement added.
The park also called the find "a key element for understanding Late Antiquity in Rome."
"[This is] a discovery that opens new scenarios on the Christianization of the territory near Rome," the post added.
"The studies are just beginning, but the significance of the discovery is truly great!"
Appian Way Regional Park is no stranger to historical discoveries.
Earlier this spring, the park shared another ancient find while excavating a Catholic church on its premises: the head of an ancient deity.
"The significance of the discovery is truly great!"
The head was found while excavators worked at the Basilica of St. Stephen on Caelian Hill, a fifth-century church.
It was discovered in the foundation of the church, and may have been intentionally buried as a way for Christians to disavow polytheism.
"The research results will contribute not only to the specific knowledge of the artifact but also to the enrichment of the historical-artistic framework of the Appia Antica territory in the late antique period — providing new elements for understanding the cultural and settlement dynamics of the era," the park said at the time.
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Yahoo
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- Yahoo
100ml liquid restriction set to be scrapped across European airports – but there's a catch
Airports across the European Union (EU) are finally set to scrap the 100ml liquid restrictions for passengers – but there's a catch. The constraint was due to be scrapped last summer, but a European Commission (EC) ruling kept it in place temporarily. Now, aviation hubs with advanced scanners will allow passengers to carry wine, olive oil, perfume and other liquids in containers of up to two litres. Participating airports include travel hotspots such as Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and Milan, with more expected to follow. While many major airports already have the advanced scanners, not all do, including London's Heathrow. It would cost the airport £1.04bn to install the equipment. There will be no mandatory requirement for airports to implement the new technology and it will be the decision of individual facilities to purchase the scanners. Consequently, the new ruling could cause confusion for passengers departing from an airport with the scanners, but returning home via an airport without them. In this instance, only 100ml would be allowed in the hand luggage on the return flight. The scanners use computed tomography (CT) to scan luggage with increased accuracy. Their introduction also means passengers will no longer have to remove other items from cabin baggage, such as laptops and tablets, further streamlining the security process. The major change was first reported by Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera and confirmed by the European Commission, with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) set to green light the move imminently. European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told The Independent that they were expecting the ruling to be confirmed 'in the next [few] days.' 'Once individual manufacturer's airport equipment passes tests and gets ECAC approval, it can receive the EU Stamp, permitting the screening of liquids of larger than 100ml. 'After receiving this approval, the equipment may be deployed for use at airports.' The Independent has approached the ECAC for comment. The news mirrors the recent decision by Birmingham and Edinburgh airports to remove the 100ml liquid restriction, while other UK airports still enforce the limit. Under existing rules, hand luggage liquids must be packed in containers carrying no more than 100ml, with some exceptions for baby products and medicines. Travellers are being advised to check the current rules from both their departing and return airports before travelling.
