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Sinkhole opens near the Pantheon, revealing 2,000-year-old Roman paving stones
Live Science ^ | 11 May 2020 | Laura Geggel

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 ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: ancientrome; augustus; caracalla; domitian; godsgravesglyphs; hadrian; marcusagrippa; pantheon; pozzolana; pozzolano; romanconcrete; romanempire; rome; septimiusseverus; sinkhole; titus; vespasian
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1 posted on 05/13/2020 9:37:20 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

“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!


2 posted on 05/13/2020 9:39:45 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: BenLurkin

Wow - Pantheon is one of the most well preserved historic buildings in Rome - Hope it’s not damaged


3 posted on 05/13/2020 9:40:19 AM PDT by 11th_VA (May you live in interesting times - Ancient Chinese Proverb)
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To: 11th_VA

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...


4 posted on 05/13/2020 9:43:25 AM PDT by Haiku Guy (It's Winnie-the-Flu / Put the blame where it belongs / On Winnie-the-Poo)
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To: SunkenCiv

PING


5 posted on 05/13/2020 9:45:42 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: BenLurkin

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. ;-)


6 posted on 05/13/2020 9:46:00 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi - Monthly Donors Rock!!!)
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To: Haiku Guy

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 ...


7 posted on 05/13/2020 9:46:54 AM PDT by Tax-chick (You can't buy happiness, but you can buy books! (Washington County, UT, Library))
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To: BenLurkin; Daffynition
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.,

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. ;)

8 posted on 05/13/2020 9:48:49 AM PDT by Ezekiel (The pun is mightier than the s-word. Goy to the World!)
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To: BenLurkin

The road lasted 2,000 years before a collapse?

New York City should try and learn a few of their tricks.


9 posted on 05/13/2020 9:50:01 AM PDT by Macoozie (Handcuffs and Orange Jumpsuits)
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To: NormsRevenge
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.

Where are all those gypsy roofers when you need them?

10 posted on 05/13/2020 9:50:18 AM PDT by Ezekiel (The pun is mightier than the s-word. Goy to the World!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Your fault?


11 posted on 05/13/2020 9:51:19 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Ezekiel
"They say Rome wasn't built in a day"

Rome wasn't sacked in a day either.

12 posted on 05/13/2020 9:52:23 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: BenLurkin

Maybe they found Geraldo Rivera’s tunnel looking for long lost Nazi gold?


13 posted on 05/13/2020 9:53:05 AM PDT by libertylover (Socialism will always look good to those who think they can get something for nothing.)
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To: BenLurkin

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.


14 posted on 05/13/2020 9:56:23 AM PDT by hinckley buzzard (Power is more often surrendered than seized)
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To: BenLurkin

Pantheon Webcam

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma/pantheon.html

Not sure if anything of the hole can be seen.


15 posted on 05/13/2020 10:08:52 AM PDT by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team scouts photo-op locations.)
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To: NormsRevenge

OK Chevy Chase. ....
https://youtu.be/3iXGbJKjNxU


16 posted on 05/13/2020 10:15:39 AM PDT by redshawk ( I want my red balloon. ( https://youtu.be/V12H2mteniE))
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To: hinckley buzzard

Monolithic too. But surely travertine is a metamorphic rock?


17 posted on 05/13/2020 10:20:28 AM PDT by Romulus
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To: BenLurkin
" geologist Stefania Nisio, who is working on a project to map Rome's sinkholes, told Adnkronos. "The main cause of a sinkhole in the city is the presence of an underground cavity.""

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.

18 posted on 05/13/2020 10:33:30 AM PDT by edwinland
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To: Tax-chick

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.


19 posted on 05/13/2020 10:50:27 AM PDT by Haiku Guy (It's Winnie-the-Flu / Put the blame where it belongs / On Winnie-the-Poo)
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To: BenLurkin

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.


20 posted on 05/13/2020 10:55:51 AM PDT by Doche2X2
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