During a restoration of the Colosseum's internal passageway, restores uncovered ancient graffiti. The Associated Press reported that traces of black, green, blue and red frescoes and graffiti of phallic symbols was uncovered.
The discovery was unearthed between the second and third levels of the Colosseum.
"The frescoes were hidden under decades of calcified rock and grime, and were revealed during a cleaning and restoration project over the last two months. The traces confirmed that while the Colosseum today is a fairly monochrome gray travertine rock, red brick and moss-covered marble, in its day its interior halls were a rich and expensive Technicolor," reported The AP.
Rome archaeological heritage superintendant Mariarosaria Barbera said to the AP, "We're used to thinking that during excavations, archaeological surprises are a risk for builders and for the city's development. . "But here is a beautiful archaeological surprise ... a monument that has been studied and known and appreciated across the world, yet still provides surprises."
Rosella Rea, Colosseum director said that there is less than 1 percent of the Colosseum remains.
"We need to imagine a building with extreme contrasts of color," she said. "This was a surprise."
In the Colosseum there was a red palm frond and a drawing of a crown uncovered that is believed to be drawn by a gladiator fan. In another restored section there are images of a phallus which was often drawn for good luck, reports the AP.
The AP reported that when asked why these details were not found for nearly 2000 years, officials replied because of the lack of funding. Rea said to the AP that there wasn't money to carry out the restoration and it had been a goal for them for nearly 20 years.
The Colosseum is undergoing a 33.31 million restoration mostly funded by Italian businessman Diego Della Valle who was founder of Tod's shoes.
The Colosseum has been crumbling because of neglect so the restoration is much needed. There are pieces of rock that have fallen from the rafters.
"It's not serious, but it needs to be restored," Rea said to the AP. carried out in the 1970s. "The later you start, the worse it is."
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