• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Severe drought brings out underwater ruins of an ancient bridge in Rome

Dario Radley by Dario Radley
July 16, 2022
Share on FacebookShare on Linkedin.Share on RedditShare on Whatsapp

Severe drought and dropping Tiber water levels have uncovered an archaeological treasure in Rome: The stone remains of the Bridge of Nero.

Every region of the world is combating its own battle against climate change. While the rainy season flooded some areas, Italy has been struggling with severe drought for the past month. People are lining up to cool themselves at the numerous fountains and drinking fountains in the capital of Italy, which has been experiencing highs of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).  

Rivers and reservoirs are rapidly drying up across Italy as a result of the current drought, in addition to record-high temperatures. According to a recent report by WION, compared to this time last year, the water levels of the river have reportedly dwindled by about one meter. 

Severe drought brings out underwater ruins of an ancient bridge in Rome
Remains of Neronian Bridge in Rome, Italy. Credit: ColdShine, Wikimedia Commons

Drought and dropping Tiber water levels, which according to Reuters is at multi-year lows, have uncovered an archaeological treasure in Rome: the stone remains of the Pons Neronianus (Latin for the Bridge of Nero).

For those who don’t know, Emperor Nero was the fifth Roman emperor and final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from CE 54 until his death in CE 68. He was adopted by the Roman emperor Claudius at the age of 13 and succeeded him on the throne. He became known for his personal debaucheries and extravagances and, on doubtful evidence, for his burning of Rome and persecutions of Christians. He killed himself at the age of 30, after he was declared the public enemy by the Roman Senate.

RelatedStories

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025

Multiple sources told Live Science that the bridge was possibly built before Nero’s rule. Live Science quoted Robert Coates-Stephens, who is an archaeologist at the British School at Rome, as saying, “The remains of this Roman bridge are visible whenever the water level of the Tiber falls, therefore whenever there are lengthy periods — like now — of very low rainfall.” The report further mentioned that it is not certain if the bridge was built by Emperor Nero. 

This is after the science news website quoted Nicholas Temple, who is a professor of architectural history at London Metropolitan University, as saying, “The origins of the bridge are uncertain, given that it is likely a bridge existed here before Nero’s reign and therefore the Pons Neronianus was probably a reconstruction of an earlier crossing.”

Temple argued that the bridge did have some military and religious significance for Rome. “The Pons Neronianus was strategically and symbolically significant,” Temple said to Live Science. One side of the bridge was located near an area where Roman troops would assemble to march in a triumph (a politically and religiously significant victory parade) and was likely part of the parade route. “The precise route of this procession is uncertain but it seems probable that the Pons Neronianus [and any bridge that preceded it] served as the bridge crossing for this purpose,” Temple said.

Cautioning about the drought previously, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri emphasized that, while there is no plan for water rationing, citizens must avoid water waste. According to a recent report by the news agency Reuters, the country’s irrigation authority warned that drought conditions are rapidly spreading through Italy, with many rivers and reservoirs drying up. 

Share5Tweet3Share1ShareSend

You May Also Like...

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism
Archaeology

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025
New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’ Credit: Southend Central Museum
Archaeology

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’

June 26, 2025
Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe
Archaeology

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history
Archaeology

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past
Archaeology

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network
Archaeology

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

1,900-year-old Roman-era lion-head discs reveal burial customs and cultural symbolism

June 26, 2025
New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’ Credit: Southend Central Museum

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’

June 26, 2025
Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.