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During the construction of a McDonald’s restaurant near Rome, workers discovered an ancient Roman basalt road that was probably connected to the Via Appia. Instead of reburying it, McDonald’s offered 300,000 euros to help restore it. Visitors can now see the street and remains, including three ancient skeletons found nearby. The Via Appia was a famous road traveled by illustrious characters such as the Roman poet Horace.
McDonald’s has been in the hamburger business for over 75 years. And now, thanks to a discovery that occurred during the construction of their restaurant near Rome, they are also in the museum business. It all started in 2014 when excavations were underway for a new burger joint in Frattocchie, Italy. Archaeologists confirmed that the workers had stumbled across 147 feet (45m) of an ancient Roman basalt road. The route was probably connected to the Via Appia, one of the most important arteries of the time. Instead of documenting the find and reburying it, McDonald’s offered 300,000 euros ($318,675 USD) to help restore it. Visitors to the restaurant can now walk along the transparent floor to see the street, or go underground to get a better look at the remains, including three ancient skeletons found nearby.
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Named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman officer who conceived it, the Via Appia became known as the regina viarium, or the queen of the roads.
“We think it was a side street that connected the Appian Way to a settlement or perhaps to an important property such as the villa of a wealthy nobleman or an imperial fiefdom,” said Alfonsina Russo, superintendent of archeology for Rome.
The Via Appia was traveled by illustrious characters such as the Roman poet Horace, who in his Satires recounted his journey from Rome to Brindisi.
