Second-century building found near Colosseum may have been ancient Rome's firefighter barracks

Archaeologists excavating in Rome's Villa Celimontana park have unearthed a second-century building potentially used by ancient Roman firefighters. The discovery near the Colosseum includes well-preserved mosaics and frescoes, offering a glimpse into the city's past.

Five rooms of the structure have been fully excavated. Among the findings is a mosaic featuring a dolphin, fish, lobster, and crab surrounding a large vase. The design bears a strong resemblance to a mosaic found in a firefighters' barracks in Ostia, the ancient port of Rome. This similarity supports the hypothesis that the building belonged to the nearby barracks of the Fifth Cohort of the Vigiles, the Roman Empire's firefighting force.

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If this hypothesis is confirmed, the discovery would help reassess the extent of one of the most important military complexes of imperial Rome.

This potential discovery could significantly impact the understanding of one of imperial Rome's major military complexes. The Vigiles were responsible not only for firefighting but also for maintaining public order at night, utilizing water from a nearby aqueduct. However, experts also consider the possibility that the building was a sophisticated patrician residence, or domus, given the elaborate decorations found. Further study of the excavation materials and structures is needed to confirm the building's exact purpose.

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Only a thorough study of the excavation materials and the structures exposed will provide further information on the newly discovered structure.