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UPDATE: Lupercale Found?
22.11.2007
By: Ronit Marco, Sites & Photos
Photographs: Courtesy of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities The Italian Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has released on November 20th the first images of the deep cave beneath Rome's Palatine Hill, that many believe is Lupercale - the underground grotto that ancient Romans cherished as the place where the she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome. According to legend, the twin brothers were the sons of the priestess Rhea Silvia and the God of War, Mars. Later they founded Rome on April 21, 753 BC. Romulus ended up as the first King of Rome after killing his brother. The cave was found in January 2007 by Irene Iacopi, the archaeologist in charge of Palatine Hill, beneath the ruins of the house of Emperor Augustus, in the midst of restoration work that has been done to the palace. During a survey of the building's foundations the restoration team was surprised to find a cave. The suggestion that this was indeed the Lupercale was based upon ancient reports that place the Lupercale not far from the palace. In addition, the cave was found to be richly decorated with colorful seashells and mosaics, which might imply that it served as a sanctuary. The cavern is about 23 feet high and 21 feet in diameter. The Ministry has released photographs that were taken by a camera probe that was lowered into the cave. The photographs show the domed cavern and its well-preserved mosaic decoration. At its center is a painted white eagle, a symbol of the Roman Empire:  
 
 
Photographs: Courtesy of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities. The Ministry's website also presents sketches and videos of the cave.
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