The Monument Tourists Don't See Photograph by Stephen L. Alvarez
Archaeologist Cristiano Ranieri descends into a 2,000-year-old sewer that runs below the Colosseum. Three years ago Ranieri found another layer of drainage systems lying even farther below this sewer—a discovery that solved a mystery. Based on early written accounts, it was long suspected that ancient Romans flooded the Colosseum during its earliest years to re-create epic naval battles for public entertainment. But no one knew how such vast quantities of water got in or out. Ranieri says the Romans could have used this deeper, older, and much larger water system to flood and drain the great arena.
Camera: Canon EOS 1DS Mark II Format: Digital Lens: 14mm Speed and F-Stop: 1/256 @ f/13.5
Weather Conditions: Clear Time of Day: 3 p.m. Lighting Techniques: Natural light
