The location of this magnificent tunnel is being kept secret for security reasons. The details of the discovery. Accidentally, a team of archaeologists from the University of Tuscia made a discovery that surprised the specialists. They said that, until now, they had never witnessed anything like it. Specifically, what was found was an ancient underground tunnel system.
But this was not just any old tunnel, as it was found to have a direct connection with the city of Rome. This tunnel, which has centuries of history, appears to date back to Etruscan times, as reported by the researchers.
A discovery that raises many questions
Work in the city’s subsoil, commissioned by the City Council, led to site technicians accidentally discovering the entrance to the underground tunnel and automatically alerting the archaeological authorities.
Studies indicate that the underground tunnel could extend for tens of kilometers, some of them under the city, so areas with tunnels and roofing were erected. For the time being, specialists know that the tunnel reaches the city of Sutri, but they believe it could go as far as the outskirts of Rome.
For now, access to this recent discovery is being kept secret to prevent looters from breaking in and stealing any historical objects that the site may contain.
Although it is mainly related to the Etruscan period, this tunnel system could have belonged to later periods, as specialists report.
Hypotheses about the creation of this tunnel
Researchers are considering several hypotheses. One of the most intriguing suggests that the underground passage may have been used during the Middle Ages as a secret papal route.
This is not at all far-fetched, as Viterbo was the seat of the papacy between the 13th and 14th centuries, when the chaos in Rome itself led several pontiffs to take refuge in this city.
Other theories point to a much older origin for this discovery of the tunnel. Some sections show signs of Etruscan architecture, which would open the door to a military or evacuation function during conflicts.
Beyond the archaeological fascination, the discovery of this underground tunnel reminds us how, even in the midst of the digital age, the past still has secrets to tell.
