ROME, Sept. 29, 2009

Archaeologists Find Nero's Dining Room

Circular Room, Believed to Rotate, Found in Ruins of 1st Century Emperor's Golden Palace

  • Superintendent Maria Antonietta Tomei speaks to reporters in a recently unearthed brick structure, incorporating a 13-foot diameter pillar (left) discovered during maintenance works in the Roman Forum, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Archaeologists believe the structure supported a rotating dining room imitating the Earth's movement and used by Roman Emperor Nero to impress his guests at his Golden Palace.

    Superintendent Maria Antonietta Tomei speaks to reporters in a recently unearthed brick structure, incorporating a 13-foot diameter pillar (left) discovered during maintenance works in the Roman Forum, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Archaeologists believe the structure supported a rotating dining room imitating the Earth's movement and used by Roman Emperor Nero to impress his guests at his Golden Palace.  (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

(AP)  Archaeologists say they have unveiled what they believe to be remains of the "dining room" of the Roman emperor Nero, part of his palatial residence built in the first century.

Lead archaeologist Francoise Villedieu says her team discovered part of a circular room, which experts believe rotated day and night to imitate the Earth's movement and impress guests.

Villedieu told journalists Tuesday that the room on the ancient Palatine Hill was supported by a pillar with a diameter of 4 meters (more than 13 feet).

She says only the foundation of the room was recovered during the four-month excavation.

The Golden Palace, also known by its Latin name Domus Aurea, rose over the ruins of a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64 A.D. and was completed in 68 A.D.

© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Share:
  • Share
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Mixx
Add a Comment
by rf35 September 30, 2009 9:45 AM EDT
Not unlike the rotating restaurants of today.
Reply to this comment
by proudmilvet September 29, 2009 9:15 PM EDT
How the hell did finding Nero's dining room get turned into a political blog about Liberals & Conservatives?
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood September 29, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
Remember...What happens in Rome stays in Rome.
Reply to this comment
by rwsmith29456 September 29, 2009 2:53 PM EDT
What was the motive power for this rotating room? Animals, people??
Reply to this comment
by maistir September 30, 2009 9:38 AM EDT
They speculate that it was a water-powered mechanism. Good story on BBC World.
by jameslouiky September 29, 2009 1:55 PM EDT
Are they going to resurrect it in the White House? Seems fitting, since Obama out fiddling around in Copenhagen while the country suffers.
Reply to this comment
by displeased September 29, 2009 3:00 PM EDT
I think he's working on boosting the economy by bringing the Olympics to the US. But apparently you think we'll be better off with them in Japan.
by scoobydob September 29, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
Yes, and they say they're going to use jacka$$es like your to keep it rotating.
by jameslouiky September 29, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
Maybe he isn't going there of the Olympics but the red light district, Thought of that?

BTW why don't you tell us all just how much the olympics brings in for us average joes who don't live in Chicago?

He dosen't know how much ACORN is stealing, how he's going to pay for his health bill, put millions back to work, but has time to have a beer with a black professor and lollygag to Europe at the whim of Chicago. So when's he going for Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Boston....... for site specific cup in hand begging for a few crumbs.
  • MOST POPULAR
Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: