Archaeologist Daniele Manacorda poses in front of Rome’s Colosseum. The archaeologist’s proposal to return the Colosseum’s storied arena to its original state, when gladiators sparred with lion, has sparked a lively debate over appropriate uses of the monument that symbolizes the glories of ancient Rome. Critics have fretted that the Colosseum would be turned into a venue for events like rock concerts, viewed as both unbefitting its stature as an ancient wonder and likely to inflict damage to the structure already weakened by earthquakes, notably in 443 and most recently in the 1700s.MILAN -Don’t expect gladiators to make a latter-day comeback. And soccer has already been ruled out.
But an archaeologist’s proposal to return the Colosseum’s storied arena to the state it was in when gladiators sparred with lions, has sparked a lively debate over appropriate uses of the monument that symbolizes the glories of ancient Rome.
Critics have fretted that the Colosseum would be turned into a venue for events like rock concerts, viewed as both unbefitting of its stature as an ancient wonder and likely to inflict damage to the structure already weakened by earthquakes, notably in 443 and most recently in the 1700s.
Archaeologist Daniele Manacorda of Roma Tre university said his suggestion to replace the arena’s long-disappeared floor is aimed at restoring the Colosseum to its original state so visitors can better appreciate its ancient splendor — not turning it into a heavily trafficked concert venue.
“It’s the most normal idea in the world,” Manacorda said.