An ancient Roman mausoleum has been found under an illegal toxic waste dump near Naples. The sprawling 2nd-century AD tomb, complete with stucco work and decorations, was discovered under tonnes of so-called 'special' refuse illicitly piled up in 17th-century ruins at Pozzuoli, site of the ancient Roman seaside town of Puteolanum.
Police with diggers cleared away the top level of garbage and unearthed an underground tunnel leading into the mausoleum, which archaeologists from the nearby town of Cuma described as "of extraordinary interest".
The owner of the site and the man who leased it from him have been cited for crimes against the environment and Italy's cultural heritage.
The Naples area is dotted with illegal waste dumps, many of them managed on the sly by the local Camorra mafia.
Pozzuoli, a pretty fishing port whose Latin name meant 'malodorous' because of the presence of sulphur vapours, has the third largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy.
Source: ANSA [April 20, 2011]
Police with diggers cleared away the top level of garbage and unearthed an underground tunnel leading into the mausoleum, which archaeologists from the nearby town of Cuma described as "of extraordinary interest".
The owner of the site and the man who leased it from him have been cited for crimes against the environment and Italy's cultural heritage.
The Naples area is dotted with illegal waste dumps, many of them managed on the sly by the local Camorra mafia.
Pozzuoli, a pretty fishing port whose Latin name meant 'malodorous' because of the presence of sulphur vapours, has the third largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy.
Source: ANSA [April 20, 2011]