An ancient Roman villa was discovered in the garden of a house in Adrian, Italy.

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery at the famous Villa Adriana in Tivoli, Italy, according to Zamin.uz.

During recent excavations, researchers uncovered a hidden underground structure beneath the remains of one of the most prominent rulers of the Roman Empire. Experts suggest this find may be the oldest known structure on the site.

The discovery was reported by Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Spain. The vast villa served as the retreat of Emperor Hadrian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138 AD.

Hadrian is historically known for constructing Hadrian’s Wall in northern Britain and for his extensive travels across the empire. Today, his villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting thousands of visitors and scholars from around the world each year.

The underground structure discovered by archaeologists predates Hadrian’s era, likely dating back to the Roman Republic period—between 509 and 27 BC. This suggests the building existed centuries before the imperial villa was constructed.

Experts believe the underground rooms were initially used as storage spaces, possibly for grain. Later, the structure was abandoned and filled with debris from earlier constructions and ceramic fragments.

According to project leader Rafael Idalgo, the fact that the underground structure remained largely intact and unfilled with soil came as a surprise to researchers. Excavations revealed numerous pottery shards and architectural terracotta fragments from nearby buildings.

Some fragments depict the heads of dogs and boars, preserving valuable insights into ancient Roman craftsmanship. Scholars emphasize that these findings are crucial for determining the construction timeline and period of use of the ancient villa.

Additionally, the dome-like section of the underground structure has remained remarkably intact. Even the impressions of the wooden formwork used by ancient Romans in pouring concrete are still clearly visible.

This discovery sheds light on many unknown chapters of Roman history, as Emperor Hadrian demolished most of the earlier buildings when constructing his villa.