Posted on 05/13/2020 9:37:20 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The sinkhole, located in the Piazza della Rotonda, is almost 10 square feet (1 square meter) big and just over 8 feet (2.5 m) deep. Inside the hole, archaeologists found seven ancient slabs made of travertine, a type of sedimentary rock.
Luckily, no one was hurt when the sinkhole collapsed on the afternoon of April 27, because the normally crowded piazza was empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sinkholes like this one, however, are becoming an increasingly common problem in Rome.
The stones uncovered by the sinkhole were created around the same time that the Pantheon was built, from 27 B.C. to 25 B.C., according to Daniela Porro, Rome special superintendent. They were designed by Marcus Agrippa, a friend of Emperor Augustus, Porro told Italian news agency ANSA. However, the Pantheon and the piazza were completely rebuilt sometime between A.D. 118 and 128 by the emperor Hadrian, and the area was further modified at the beginning of the third century by the emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
Rome sits on soft, sandy soil that is easily eroded by water and shaken by the vibrations of cars and scooters, The Local reported.
The city's leaders announced a multi-million-euro plan to fix its streets in 2018, but progress has been slow, according to The Local. Until these upgrades are made, sinkholes may continue to reveal ancient architecture and artifacts, such as these paving stones.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
“Luckily, no one was hurt when the sinkhole collapsed on the afternoon of April 27, because the normally crowded piazza was empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“
There you have it. Lockdowns work!
Wow - Pantheon is one of the most well preserved historic buildings in Rome - Hope it’s not damaged
Looks like it is wall away from the building, in the plaza.
Man, what I wouldn’t give to be in Rome. Not this year...
PING
Of the spots we visited a few years ago, I looked forward to the Pantheon perhaps the most.. now if they can just figure out a way to fill that hole on the tip. ;-)
My mother and I were planning a trip to Rome in April. Fortunately, we hadn’t made any commitments before things went blooey. Maybe next year ...
A point in favor of the young earth creationists! :)
They say Rome wasn't built in a day but looks like a pretty short time from the creation of the stones to the building of the Pantheon.
I love these little stories. ;)
The road lasted 2,000 years before a collapse?
New York City should try and learn a few of their tricks.
Where are all those gypsy roofers when you need them?
Your fault?
Rome wasn't sacked in a day either.
Maybe they found Geraldo Rivera’s tunnel looking for long lost Nazi gold?
The Pantheon is a marvel. The largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world— still. On the summer solstice the sun is directly over head, shines straight down through the oculus.
Pantheon Webcam
https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma/pantheon.html
Not sure if anything of the hole can be seen.
OK Chevy Chase. ....
https://youtu.be/3iXGbJKjNxU
Monolithic too. But surely travertine is a metamorphic rock?
Although they don't refer to him as Dr., he clearly must have a Phd for this kind of insight. Perhpas they could put him in charge of the Wuhan Virus investigation.
You can get a two bedroom AirBnB on the Piazza de la Rotunda for $89 a night. If you can take the risk, you will never see prices like this again.
The Pantheon is one of the most impressive buildings in history. When you step inside, you simply cannot believe someone could build something this magnificent in 126 AD.
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