Where was a 2,000-year-old mosaic found?

A 2,000-year-old mosaic has been discovered on the wall of a building buried beneath the streets of Rome. It's made of shells and coral and was found near the Colosseum. The Colosseum was an ancient Roman site, and there's many other Roman landmarks nearby. The mosaic was discovered after a long dig near Palatine Hill in Rome.

What does a mosaic look like?

Taking a closer look at the mosaic, you can see some impressive artwork. A mosaic is made usually from small painted tiles, put together to make a pattern or artwork, and is painstaking artwork to create. This one features some marine scenes - including a mixture of real and mythical creatures.

Why was a mosaic found in one piece?

Experts think the mosaic was a part of a mansion nearby, owned by some rich and powerful people. Normally the mosaics found by archaeologists are on the floor or people's homes, but this one was found on the wall of a building and its position perhaps explains why it was found largely intact - in one piece.

Did a Roman politician have a mosaic?

They think the mosaic might have belonged to a Roman senator - which was a type of politician in Roman times. It's pretty impressive the mosaic has largely stayed in one piece - usually they break or are damaged by heavier buildings above them, or by falling debris over hundreds of years. Interestingly, the mosaic contains coral.