Photos show how excavators digging up a garden for a luxury hotel near the Vatican found the ruins of Roman emperor Nero's theater

Aug 22, 2023

Archaeologists located the ruins of an ancient emperor's theater while digging up a garden in Rome.

Steps from the Vatican, they unearthed Nero's theater, famously written about but never found.

Antiques discovered at the site will go to museums once officials finish their studies.

Nero was known as an emperor who had an affinity for theater and music, PBS reported. He reigned over Rome from 54-68 AD.

Archaeologists dug beneath the walled garden of the Palazzo della Rovere, a lavish building that takes up a whole city block. The owners of the palazzo lease the space to a hotel.

Excavators were digging beneath a garden for what will eventually become a luxury Four Seasons Hotel.

The artifacts will be moved to a museum once the dig is complete.

Excavators found pottery pieces dating back to the 10th century, which they called an "exceptional" find.

Some of the exciting finds also included glass goblets and cooking pots, ABC News reported.

They found the above figurine of Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions.

Archeologists also found religious relics like bone used to carve rosary beads.

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