Digging It

Archaeologists in Austria say they have discovered a large, well-preserved school for Roman gladiators.

The remains of the school, at a site east of the modern capital, Vienna, were found using radar imagery.

The school was part of a Roman city which was an important military and trade outpost 17 centuries ago.

Though excavations have yet to begin, the radar images show thick walls surrounding the compound which contained 40 small cells for fighters.

There is also a training area and a large bathing area in the Carnuntum ruins.

This is an enormous find, and another chance to recreate how gladiators lived. Seventeen centuries seems like a long time, but it is just a blip for those who can reach out and touch the walls, walk the floors, and know what it is like to stand in the training field of a gladiator. There is a lot of work to be done, but the emphasis is on the quality of the preservation. We could learn a lot.

I feel a sudden craving to go watch History Channel.