Editing Palatine Hill (section)

==Excavations==

Already during Augustus' reign an area of the Palatine Hill was subject to a sort of [[archaeology|archaeological]] expedition which found fragments of [[Bronze Age]] pots and tools. He declared this site the "original town of Rome." [[Modern archaeology]] has identified evidence of Bronze Age settlement in the area which predates Rome's founding. 

Intensive archaeological excavations began in the 18th century and culminated in the late 19th century, after the proclamation of Rome as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Discoveries continued sporadically throughout the 20th century until the present time.

[[File:Lupercal grotto.jpg|thumb|The photo of the excavated cave beneath the ''Domus Livia'' on the Palatine Hill, perhaps the [[Lupercal]]]]
In 2006, [[archaeologist]]s announced the discovery of the Palatine House, believed to be the birthplace of [[Ancient Rome|Rome]]'s first Emperor, Augustus.<ref>For a classical account of the birth (and birthplace) of Augustus, refer to: [[Suetonius]], ''[[Lives of the Twelve Caesars#Life of Augustus|Life of Augustus]]'', 5.</ref> A section of corridor and other fragments under the Hill were found and described as "a very ancient aristocratic house."{{cn|date=February 2020}} The two-story house appears to have been built around an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]], with frescoed walls and mosaic flooring, and is situated on the slope of the Palatine that overlooks the [[Colosseum]] and the [[Arch of Constantine]]. The Republican-era houses on the Palatine were overbuilt by later palaces after the [[Great Fire of Rome]] (AD 64), but apparently this one was not and perhaps was preserved for an important reason. On the ground floor, three shops opened onto the [[Via Sacra]]. The location of the ''domus'' is significant because of its potential proximity to the ''[[Curia#Curiae Veteres|Curiae Veteres]]'', the earliest shrine of the ''[[Curia|curies]]'' of Rome.<ref>[[Varro]] ''Linguae Latinae'' 5.155; [[Sextus Pompeius Festus|Festus]] L 174; [[Tacitus]] ''Annales'' 12.24</ref>

In 2007 the legendary [[Lupercal]] cave was claimed to have been found beneath the remains of the ''Domus Livia'' (House of [[Livia]]) on the Palatine. Archaeologists came across the 16-metre-deep cavity while restoring the decaying palace, with a richly decorated vault encrusted with mosaics and seashells.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070126-rome-palatine.html|title=Sacred Cave of Rome's Founders Found, Scientists Say|website=news.nationalgeographic.com|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819183841/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070126-rome-palatine.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Lupercal was probably converted to a sanctuary by Romans in later centuries. Many others have denied its identification with the Lupercal on topographic and stylistic grounds, and believe that the grotto is actually a ''[[nymphaeum]]'' or underground ''[[triclinium]]'' from [[Nero]]nian times.<ref>Aloisi, Silvia "Expert doubts Lupercale 'find'" ''The Australian'' November 24, 2007 [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22813219-12377,00.html theaustralian.news.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124214653/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22813219-12377,00.html |date=2007-11-24 }}</ref><ref>"È uno splendido ninfeo, ma il Lupercale non era lì" '''la Repubblica''' November 23, 2007 [http://roma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/%C3%88-uno-splendido-ninfeo-ma-il-Lupercale-non-era-li/1392770] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126035614/https://roma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/%C3%88-uno-splendido-ninfeo-ma-il-Lupercale-non-era-li/1392770 |date=2021-01-26 }}</ref><ref>Schulz, Matthia "Is Italy's Spectacular Find Authentic?"''Spiegel Online'' November 29, 2007 [http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,520440,00.html spiegel.de] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202092806/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,520440,00.html |date=2012-02-02 }}</ref>