Bustling Roman Metropolis found near intact outside Venice

[mswas]

The Times & The Sunday Times

The bustling harbour of Altinum near Venice was one of the richest cities of the Roman empire. But terrified by the impending invasion of the fearsome Germanic Emperor Attila the Hun, its inhabitants cut their losses and fled in AD452, leaving behind a ghost town of theatres, temples and basilicas.

Altinum was never reoccupied and gradually sunk into the ground. The city lived on in Venetian folk tales and historical artefacts but its exact position, size and wealth gradually faded into obscurity.

Now, using aerial photography of the region, Italian archaeologists have not only located the city, but have produced a detailed map revealing its remarkably intact infrastructure and showing it to be slightly larger than Pompeii.

[Maus_Magill]

Okay - That’s cool. You can see the roads in the fields just north of 45° 32′ 57.27″ N, 12° 24′ 3.47″ E.

[lieu]

Here’s the BBC version with an accompanying virtual flyover. It is as they said incredible flyers departing the nearby airport hadn’t made this out before.

[Shot_From_Guns]

Should have said “once-bustling.” I got all psyched up for immortal Romans.

[garygnu]

There is so much history hidden underwater.

[eleanorigby]

That is incredible.

[Jenaroph]

Anyone notice that the town right there is called Altino? Memories are long indeed.

[Chronos]

Google Maps link

[panache45]

Are they referring to that huge brown area, to the east and south of Altino? If so, that’s amazing!

[DrDeth]

It ain’t bustling no more.

Very cool site!