Many people wonder why the ruins of ancient Rome lie deep beneath the modern city. Over the centuries, the level of the ground gradually climbed due to several natural and human factors. One example is the Curia in the Roman Forum, where new doors were carved higher up as the ground level rose. Similarly, the church at the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina sits far above the ancient streets.
This layered history results from a mix of wind-blown soil, plant growth, and flooding. Untended buildings became covered in vegetation, adding layers of soil with each plant cycle. Floods from the Tiber River left behind thick mud deposits. The collapse of old structures further contributed as their rubble turned into new ground, and medieval builders reused some stones while ignoring less useful debris. This continuous accumulation transformed ancient streets into what we see today.
Key Takeaways
- Ancient Rome is buried beneath layers of soil and debris.
- Natural and human activities have gradually raised the ground level.
- Regular flooding and building collapses played significant roles.
Ancient Rome: Reasons Behind Its Burial
In ancient Rome, the ground level rose significantly over the centuries. Take the Curia in the Forum, for example. Originally built in ancient times, it was converted into a church, and by the Middle Ages, a new door was cut 10 feet above the original. By the Renaissance, another door was added, located over 20 feet above the ancient floor.
Several factors contributed to this rise in ground level. Wind-blown dust and vegetation played a role. Plants grew on untended buildings, and over time, the soil they created added an inch or so to the ground level every century.
Another major cause was frequent flooding from the Tiber River, which left layers of silt. However, the biggest contributor was debris from ruined buildings. When Roman buildings were abandoned, their wooden parts decayed, and their walls eventually crumbled. This debris, often untouched or simply leveled, created mounds where structures once stood. Residents of medieval Rome sometimes repurposed stone, but large amounts of rubble remained and led to the city’s gradual burial.
Natural Elements That Build Up Soil
Dust and Vegetation Carried by the Wind
In Rome’s climate, dust and seeds can easily be carried by the wind. Over time, plants like small weeds can begin to grow on the roofs and walls of neglected buildings. This process adds a thin layer of soil as these plants live and die. Although this gradual buildup occurs slowly, it contributes to the raising of ground levels over centuries.
Vegetation on Abandoned Structures
On structures no longer cared for, plants quickly establish themselves. In cities today, like abandoned areas in Detroit, you can see examples of trees and plants growing where they weren’t originally planted. Similarly, the ruins of Rome, not yet maintained in the 19th century, became overgrown. These plants slowly added layers of soil as they flourished.
Overflow from the Tiber River
Before modern measures were taken, the Tiber River often overflowed its banks. This caused floods to wash over parts of Rome, leaving behind a sludge-like layer of dirt and silt once the waters receded. This natural event added a significant amount of material to the land, gradually raising the level of the ground over time.
Human Influence on the Rise of Rome’s Streets
Remains from Fallen Buildings
Over time, many Roman structures, including typical Roman apartment buildings, fell into ruin. These buildings often stood three or four stories high with robust brick-faced concrete walls and tiled roofs. The other parts, mostly made of wood, began to rot after abandonment. As the mortar weakened from rain and frost, and earthquakes shook the foundations, walls would crash to the ground. What remained were grassy mounds, sometimes reaching multiple stories high. In medieval times, residents often scavenged stones from these piles but left behind broken tiles and concrete, adding to the uneven rise of the city’s ground level.
Breakdown of Wooden Structures
As the large wooden parts of ancient buildings decayed, they left gaps and rot behind. Once vibrant homes and public buildings turned into piles of debris. The loss of wood essentially reduced the weight and structure of these buildings, making it easier for the rest of the material to collapse. This added to the layers of material covering the ancient pavements of Rome.
Impact of Flood Mud Layers
Before the 19th-century embankments, Rome regularly experienced severe floods from the Tiber River. These floods could rise dramatically, even reaching 15 feet in certain areas like near the Pantheon. When the waters eventually receded, they left behind hefty layers of soil and silt. These layers played a significant part in raising the city’s street levels over time.
Build-Up of Waste and Debris
Trash and rubble significantly contributed to the elevation of Rome’s ground. As buildings broke down, the leftover fragments became part of the urban landscape. Medieval Romans often ignored or built over these rubble remains. The continuous deposition of waste materials contributed significantly to the street elevations seen today.
Contemporary Views and Preservation Work
Ancient Rome’s current state is a result of many preservation efforts. The city’s ruins have been carefully studied and protected to maintain their historical value. Preserving these structures is important to understand the impact of time, natural events, and human activities on them.
Preservation Techniques:
- Regular Maintenance: Regular cleaning and repair work help protect ancient structures from further decay.
- Restoration Projects: Many ruins have been restored to give a clearer picture of what they looked like in their prime.
- Protective Measures: These include installing barriers and providing access control to prevent damage from large crowds.
Efforts to conserve Rome’s ancient architecture include not only physical preservation but also educational programs to raise awareness about their historical significance. Through these methods, the legacy of ancient Rome is shared with future generations, enriching our connection to the past.
Building Techniques in the Medieval Era
Gathering and Reusing Supplies
During the medieval era, people in Rome often reused materials from older structures. When buildings started to decay, citizens would take parts of the structures that were still in good condition. They would gather stones and bricks to use them in new constructions. This practice was common because it saved resources and reduced the need to make new materials. Reusing materials was practical and eco-friendly for that time.
Constructing on Top of Debris
As Roman buildings aged and fell apart, many of them left behind large piles of debris. These mounds of broken tiles and pieces of concrete were challenging to remove or use. Instead of clearing these sites, people would level the debris and build new structures directly on top of it. This method led to newer streets and buildings being situated higher than their ancient predecessors. Over time, repeated building over debris contributed significantly to the rise of ground levels in ancient cities.
Importance and Effects of Rome’s Hidden Layers
Ancient Rome lies buried beneath layers accumulated over centuries. The raising of ground levels is seen in places like the Curia and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, where doors from different periods hover meters above the original pavement. These rising layers are due, in part, to natural processes such as wind-blown dust and invasive vegetation. Plants, while a minor factor in the height increase, managed to thrive on ancient ruins, creating soil that slowly added to the ground level.
Flooding from the Tiber River played a significant role. Before the 19th-century embankments, floods left behind silt deposits, further raising the ground. More than anything else, debris from collapsed buildings contributed to Rome’s buried state. When structures made with materials like wood, concrete, and tile fell apart, their remains formed new mounds. Over time, these were ignored or built over by medieval inhabitants, adding layers to the city’s ancient streets.
These elements together underscore how the intertwining of natural forces and human activity buried Rome’s ancient cityscape under its own remains and residues from everyday life.
Considering Rome’s Historic Layers
Ancient Rome sits beneath layers of history, buried deep under the modern city. This outcome was influenced by various factors over the centuries. A significant cause was the gradual build-up from natural processes. As wind carried dust and seeds, plants started to grow on abandoned structures. Over time, these plants decayed and gradually increased the soil level.
Floods from the Tiber River also played a crucial role. Without embankments until the 19th century, floodwaters often rose high, leaving thick layers of silt when they receded. This silt added further to the rise in ground level.
Human activity also contributed significantly. Debris from abandoned buildings, particularly their concrete and brick elements, added to the accumulation. Medieval residents removed useful materials and simply leveled the rubble, building new structures on top. These layers of history and life have kept ancient Rome hidden below the bustling present-day city.
Factors Contributing to Rome’s Burial
Wind and Plants
- Dust accumulation
- Plant growth and decay
Flooding
- Silt deposits from Tiber River
Human Activity
- Building debris and rubble
- Construction over leveled ruins
