Works by Caravaggio, Titian and Rubens at risk to Roman traffic after air conditioning packs up at cash-strapped gallery
Ancient Rome’s tap water heavily contaminated with lead, researchers say
Supply became contaminated as it passed through giant network of lead pipes that distributed water around city, scientists believe
Archeologists’ findings may prove Rome a century older than thought
As Italian capital approaches 2,767th birthday, excavation reveals wall built long before official founding year of 753BC
Ancient Viking code deciphered for the first time
Runologist cracks the mysterious jötunvillur code – and discovers medieval ‘text messages’
Retreating Alpine glacier gives up another body after 34 years
Jonathan Conville, 27, vanished from the Matterhorn in 1979. Now, as the ice melts, his remains join finds dating back 5,000 years
Where to experience the winter solstice: Ireland’s prehistoric Newgrange tomb
The spectacle lasts just 17 minutes at the neolithic Newgrange monument in County Meath, but demand is so high an annual lottery is held and participants come from across the world
Discovery of oldest human DNA in Spanish cave sheds light on evolution
Scientists say DNA strands in thigh bone of 400,000-year-old early human can help build clearer picture of human family tree
Italian archaeologists have grape expectations of their ancient wine
Scientists plant vineyards with the aim of making wine using techniques from classical Rome described by Virgil
Hadrian’s villa tunnels explored as cavers drop down into hidden city
Amateur cavers map network of passages built by Roman emperor at Tivoli to keep slaves, oxen and victuals below stairs
Rubicon river rivalry in Italy to be settled with mock court case
The Roman gauntlet is thrown down as regional factions argue their river is famous point of no return crossed by Caesar