The charred remains of a lavish third-century home are the most recent discovery found during the construction of Rome's new metro line.
The charred remains of a lavish third-century home are the most recent discovery found during the construction of Rome's new metro line.
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis News/Corbis via Getty Images
This discovery is particularly interesting because the fire that destroyed the house left some things intact, including wooden beams that, under normal circumstances, would have decayed ages ago.
This discovery is particularly interesting because the fire that destroyed the house left some things intact, including wooden beams that, under normal circumstances, would have decayed ages ago.
Ben Wedeman
One of the most surprising finds was the skeleton of a dog who, according to archaeologist Simone Morretta, was likely stuck in the house after part of the burning ceiling fell.
One of the most surprising finds was the skeleton of a dog who, according to archaeologist Simone Morretta, was likely stuck in the house after part of the burning ceiling fell.
Ben Wedeman
Other finds include a fragment of mosaic flooring...
Other finds include a fragment of mosaic flooring...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...a wall fragment...
...a wall fragment...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...part of a piece of furniture...
...part of a piece of furniture...
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
...and parts of the burnt wooden ceiling.
...and parts of the burnt wooden ceiling.
Stefano Montesi - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Items from ancient times are found more often than you might think. In September 2015, British archaeologists discovered<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F07%2F20%2Farchitecture%2Fbritain-pompeii-bronze-age-discovery%2F"> </a>a small but prehistoric site that they say provides a genuine snapshot of life in the Bronze Age, some 3000 years ago.
Items from ancient times are found more often than you might think. In September 2015, British archaeologists discovered a small but prehistoric site that they say provides a genuine snapshot of life in the Bronze Age, some 3000 years ago.
Cambridge Archaeology Unit
The earliest known stone copy of the Ten Commandments sold at auction in Beverly Hills in 2016 for $850,000.
The earliest known stone copy of the Ten Commandments sold at auction in Beverly Hills in 2016 for $850,000.
Heritage Auctions
The stone was first uncovered in 1913.
The stone was first uncovered in 1913.
Heritage Auctions
"The tablet's significance is testament to the deep roots and enduring power of the Commandments that still form the basis of three of the world's great religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam," says David Michaels, director of ancient coins for <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ha.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Heritage Auctions</a>, who will be conducting the sale.
"The tablet's significance is testament to the deep roots and enduring power of the Commandments that still form the basis of three of the world's great religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam," says David Michaels, director of ancient coins for Heritage Auctions, who will be conducting the sale.
Heritage Auctions
Specialists at Mossgreen auctions in Australia discovered this Ming dynasty banknote hidden inside the head of this 14th century Buddhist carving. The wooden sculpture represents the head of a Luohan -- an enlightened person who has reached Nirvana in Buddhist culture.
Specialists at Mossgreen auctions in Australia discovered this Ming dynasty banknote hidden inside the head of this 14th century Buddhist carving. The wooden sculpture represents the head of a Luohan -- an enlightened person who has reached Nirvana in Buddhist culture.
courtesy mossgreen auctions
Its face value was worth roughly $98 at the time of its circulation and the 700-year-old banknote is believed to have been handmade during China's Ming dynasty. Together, the banknote and sculpture are expected to fetch between $30,000 to $45,000 at auction.
Its face value was worth roughly $98 at the time of its circulation and the 700-year-old banknote is believed to have been handmade during China's Ming dynasty. Together, the banknote and sculpture are expected to fetch between $30,000 to $45,000 at auction.
courtesy mossgreen auctions
After studying the banknote and carving details, art specialists were able to estimate the sculpture's age, which dates back to China's Hongwu period in the 14th century.
After studying the banknote and carving details, art specialists were able to estimate the sculpture's age, which dates back to China's Hongwu period in the 14th century.
courtesy mossgreen auctions
Mossgreen specialists believe this is the first time a Ming dynasty banknote has been found inside a wooden Buddhist sculpture. They say it's more common to find relics and semi-precious stones left by monks inside Buddhist sculptures.
Mossgreen specialists believe this is the first time a Ming dynasty banknote has been found inside a wooden Buddhist sculpture. They say it's more common to find relics and semi-precious stones left by monks inside Buddhist sculptures.
courtesy mossgreen auctions
Ten ancient Roman and Ottoman coins were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F09%2F27%2Fluxury%2Fancient-roman-coins-japan%2F">recently discovered in castle ruins in Okinawa, Japan</a>. This image shows the front of one of the Roman coins.
Ten ancient Roman and Ottoman coins were recently discovered in castle ruins in Okinawa, Japan. This image shows the front of one of the Roman coins.
Uruma Board of Education
"I couldn't believe they'd found coins from the Roman empire in Kasturen castle," archiologist Hiroyuki Miyagi, from Okinawa International University, told CNN. This is the front of one of the Ottoman coins.
"I couldn't believe they'd found coins from the Roman empire in Kasturen castle," archiologist Hiroyuki Miyagi, from Okinawa International University, told CNN. This is the front of one of the Ottoman coins.
Uruma City Educational Board
Archaeologists recently <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F09%2F20%2Fmiddleeast%2Fjerusalem-nero-coin%2Findex.html">unearthed</a> a rare 2,000 year old Roman coin during a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F09%2F20%2Fmiddleeast%2Fjerusalem-nero-coin%2Findex.html">scientific dig</a> in Jerusalem. The gold coin features the face of Emperor Nero and was likely struck in 56-57 AD.
Archaeologists recently unearthed a rare 2,000 year old Roman coin during a scientific dig in Jerusalem. The gold coin features the face of Emperor Nero and was likely struck in 56-57 AD.
UNC Charlotte
In August 2016, the world's largest pearl was discovered under a bed in the Philippines, where it had lain forgotten for over ten years.
In August 2016, the world's largest pearl was discovered under a bed in the Philippines, where it had lain forgotten for over ten years.
Aileen Cynthia Amurao
This 1,109 carat, tennis ball-sized diamond made headlines in November 2015 when it was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F09%2F09%2Fluxury%2Fmost-expensive-rough-diamond%2F">pulled</a> out of the Karowe Mine, in Botswana, by Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp.
This 1,109 carat, tennis ball-sized diamond made headlines in November 2015 when it was pulled out of the Karowe Mine, in Botswana, by Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp.
Courtesy de Grisogono
In May 2016, divers <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F05%2F16%2Fmiddleeast%2Froman-coins-treasure-shipwreck-israel%2F">discovered</a> a 1,600-year-old shipwreck while swimming the ancient Roman port of Caesarea. These rare bronze artifacts were recovered from the ship.
In May 2016, divers discovered a 1,600-year-old shipwreck while swimming the ancient Roman port of Caesarea. These rare bronze artifacts were recovered from the ship.
Clara Amit, Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority
Over 1,300 pounds (590 kg) of bronze Roman coins dating to the 3rd century A.D. were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F04%2F29%2Feurope%2Fspain-roman-coins-found%2F">unearthed</a> in April 2016 by construction workers digging a trench in Spain.
Over 1,300 pounds (590 kg) of bronze Roman coins dating to the 3rd century A.D. were unearthed in April 2016 by construction workers digging a trench in Spain.
ATLAS
In January 2016, over 4,000 Roman coins were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F11%2F20%2Fluxury%2Froman-coins-switzerland-farmer%2F">discovered</a> by a fruit and vegetable farmer on a molehill in his cherry orchard in Switzerland.
In January 2016, over 4,000 Roman coins were discovered by a fruit and vegetable farmer on a molehill in his cherry orchard in Switzerland.
Béla Polyvàs, Canton of Aargau
The bead on this bracelet, from Portland-based design company William Henry, is actually <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F03%2F29%2Fluxury%2Fdinosaur-bone-accessories%2F">made</a> using fossilized mammoth tooth and dinosaur bones.
The bead on this bracelet, from Portland-based design company William Henry, is actually made using fossilized mammoth tooth and dinosaur bones.
courtesy william henry