Page "Roman Forum" Paragraph 10

As the ground around buildings began to rise, residents simply paved over the debris that was too much to remove.

Its final travertine paving, still visible, dates from the reign of Augustus.

Excavations in the 19th century revealed one layer on top of another.

The deepest level excavated was 3. 60 meters above sea level.

Archaeological finds show human activity at that level with the discovery of carbonised wood.