Grand Canal Predated Venice: Ancient Roman City Lost, Now Found

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Ancient Roman City Lost, Now Found

The lost Roman city of Altinum has been found in Italy. Sophisticated aerial images released this week reveal fascinating new details about Venice's predecessor, which was abandoned by its citizens and then sank into the lagoon.

After a long search, the ancient city of Altinum -- considered to be the predecessor of Venice -- has been discovered. In a report published this week in Science, archaeologists at the University of Padua also report that the most popular of Venetian tourist attractions, the Grand Canal, was flowing through the Roman trade town as long as 1,500 years ago.

Altinum plays a major role in Venice's history -- it was one of the richest Roman settlements but ...

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http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,639482,00.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,639482,00.html