Archeologists discover "unique" 2,300-year-old pearls, shells mosaic beneath Rome

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery on Rome's Palatine Hill, one of the imperial city's most ancient locations, unearthing a luxurious banquet room believed to be around 2,300 years old.

The room, part of a larger aristocratic mansion, features a well-preserved wall mosaic measuring almost five meters long. The mosaic is adorned with depictions of vines, lotus leaves, tridents, trumpets, helmets, and mythological marine creatures, created using mother of pearl, shells, corals, precious glass shards, and flecks of marble, CNN reported.

Archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, Head of the Colosseum Archaeological Park in charge of the site, said the discovery is considered unique for the exceptional conservation of the mosaic and its depiction of celebratory scenes, potentially commemorating victories sponsored by a wealthy aristocratic patron.

Estimated to be around 2300 years old, the work is part of a larger aristocratic mansion, located near the Roman Forum, the site of the Roman Empire's administrative, economic and scientific seat, that has been under excavation since 2018.