A hidden chamber in the palace of Emperor Nero

The grand, sprawling palace built by the Roman emperor Nero nearly 2,000 years ago hid a secret. In the ruins of Nero’s Golden House (Domus Aurea), archaeologists have found a hidden chamber richly decorated with paintings depicting real and mythical creatures. The room was named the Sphinx chamber.

The Sphinx chamber was discovered by accident during ongoing restoration work on the palace. The room was hidden for 2,000 years and is still partially buried.

On the walls of the hidden room are paintings depicting a warrior armed with a bow and shield fighting a panther, a satyr with musical instruments, centaurs, birds and mythical sea creatures, including hippocampi – póHorses, pół fish.

One of the walls unearthed so far contains a fresco of the Sphinx, from which theórgo named the entire chamber. All the paintings are surrounded by richly decorated ornaments. Red, green and ¿óhe ancient pigments have survived two millennia in perfect condition.

Nero began construction of the palace – known as the Domus Aurea, or Golden House – In 64, after a six-day fire thatóry has consumed two-thirds of Rome. That scientists are still discovering new rooms in the Domus Aurea after hundreds of years of excavation (the ruins were first discovered in the 15th century) is no surprise. The palace complex covered an area of about 100 hectares and was never completed. Construction work continued until 68 and was halted after the emperor’s death.

Nero was remembered as a tyrant and despot. After his self-obóystwie the unfinished palace was looted, partially demolished and then built over. In the central part of the palace complex, który was to have about 300 rooms, there was an artificial lake. In its place the Colosseum was built.

Currently there is no planóIn the excavation of the earth and rubbleów of the uncovered chamber. This could have destabilized the entire complex. – The chamber had been hidden for nearly two thousand years. Although it has not been fully uncovered, it tells us about the atmosphere from years of governmentóin Nero’s – said Alphonsina Russo, head of the archaeological park in the Colosseum area.

What is found in the buried parts of the chamber? Unknown. Archaeologists believe that the room may have served a representative function, perhaps it was to have been a room with works of art, which is why they believe there are more frescoes and paintings in the buried parts of the room.

SourceóSource: Live Science, Science Alert, fot. Parco Archeologico Del Colosseo