2 ancient Roman sarcophagi found near football stadium in Rome

Two marble sarcophagi from ancient Rome have been unearthed near the city's football stadium.

The discovery by the Stadio Olimpico was made during routine digging by Rome's energy and water company Acea, the local public watchdog for archaeology and conservation said in a statement Wednesday.

The stone coffins were lying at a depth of 2.5 meters. One of them is richly decorated, and according to a preliminary observation, to be confirmed by later studies, they may date to the third to fourth century AD.

The quality of the sarcophagi and their size suggests they were made "for the burial of children, probably from a wealthy Roman family," the statement said.

2 ancient Roman sarcophagi found near football stadium in Rome

A handout photo made available by the Rome Press Office shows that two Roman sarcophagi have been found during work to place pipes near the Olympic Stadium, in Rome, 23 August 2017

A handout photo made available by the Rome Press Office shows that two Roman sarcophagi have been found during work to place pipes near the Olympic Stadium, in Rome, 23 August 2017

A handout photo made available by the Rome Press Office shows that two Roman sarcophagi have been found during work to place pipes near the Olympic Stadium, in Rome, 23 August 2017

2 ancient Roman sarcophagi found near football stadium in Rome

Digging in Rome often leads to remarkable archaeological discoveries: last year, beautiful mosaics and frescoes from a second century AD army barracks emerged during works for Rome's third metro line.