Secret chamber uncovered 2,000 years on at Nero palace

A team of archaeologists have discovered a secret chamber decorated with detailed frescoes during restoration work at Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea or Golden Palace constructed two millennia ago. The team came across an opening leading to a room covered with depictions of mythical creatures including centaurs and the god Pan, officials from the Colosseum archeological park, supervising the work, told AFP on Friday. The archaeologists have dubbed the chamber, which will require excavation with much of it buried and just its vault currently visible, Sala della Sfinge, or the Room of the Sphinx and say it is a significant discovery. The find offers a tantalising glimpse into “the atmosphere of the 60s of the first Century AD in Rome,” the Colosseum officials said, adding that what could be seen of the vault was “very visible and fairly well preserved.” Set against a white background can be seen “red-edged squares finessed with yellow-ochre lines and golden bands punctuated by a