Work to connect Rome's third Metro C line to the Basilica of St. John Lateran has uncovered a vast ancient Roman reservoir cistern 21 metres below the modern city. Archaeologists claim that this is the biggest water deposit from the Imperial Roman period ever found, with a capacity of four million litres of water. The basin measures 70 m long by 35 m wide and covers a quarter of a hectare.

In the same area, agricultural implements and remains of willow baskets were also found, proving that the area was once part of a large farming concern, with peach orchards and fields providing food for the capital.

The Metro C is expected to be linked to St. John Lateran in 2015. At the moment, the first fifteen stations opened connect the Castelli Hills area with the Rome suburbs.

Info:www.beniculturali.it   http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it