An ancient Roman villa was recently uncovered beneath a high school gym in Rome, thanks to the efforts of students who brought attention to the long-rumored site.

The Discovery

The domus, an upscale Roman house, was found under Cavour High School, just steps away from Rome’s Colosseum. Archaeologists unveiled the results of their excavation after presenting their findings to teachers and students at Cavour High School earlier in June.

Pictures of the site released by officials show vaulted rooms with faded frescoes and decorative plasterwork, along with some modern graffiti and piles of rubble. Claudia Marino, a history and Latin teacher at Cavour High School, initially dismissed rumors that ancient ruins were hidden beneath the school, but eventually ventured to the school’s basement with her colleagues and opened up an iron door with a key, revealing the long-rumored ruins.

Plans for the Villa

Officials plan to eventually open the villa to the public, with students serving as guides. The villa is one of many Roman buildings that have been discovered or rediscovered in recent years, including a multi-story apartment building dating to the first century B.C. that was uncovered during the construction of Rome’s Metro Line C project.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.