Archaeologists Find Remains of Small Dogs Similar to Dachshunds in the Drains of Rome's Colosseum

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: File: GettyThe remains of small dogs similar to dachshunds have reportedly been found in the drains of Rome’s Colosseum.The underground Colosseum area houses anetwork of tunnels and chambersdistributed over two levels and 80 vertical shafts. Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, toldThe Telegraphthatthe findingswere discovered during a year-long study during which archeologists traveled through 70 meters of drains and sewers.“We found many bones from dogs which were similar to the modern sausage dog,” Russo explained.The Colosseum is known to havefeatured showsin which gladiators fought to the death against beasts, criminals and other gladiators for the entertainment of Roman society.According to Russo, however, the remains were “less than 30cm” (11.8 inches) in height and show that the dogs may have been used to perform acrobatic tricks, staged hunts, and fight against wild animals.RELATED VIDEO: ASPCA Rehabilitates Dachshunds Saved from Hoarding SituationNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We don’t know for sure,” she added.PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for the Colosseum, but did not immediately hear back.Although small, the dachshundbreed emergedin early 18th-century Germany and was bred to be and independent hunter of dangerous prey.Along with their remains, archeologists founds the remains of leopards, bears, lions, ostriches, and large dogs during their study, along with remnants of snacks that spectators would have eaten, like fruits and olives.

Photo: File: Getty

The remains of small dogs similar to dachshunds have reportedly been found in the drains of Rome’s Colosseum.The underground Colosseum area houses anetwork of tunnels and chambersdistributed over two levels and 80 vertical shafts. Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, toldThe Telegraphthatthe findingswere discovered during a year-long study during which archeologists traveled through 70 meters of drains and sewers.“We found many bones from dogs which were similar to the modern sausage dog,” Russo explained.The Colosseum is known to havefeatured showsin which gladiators fought to the death against beasts, criminals and other gladiators for the entertainment of Roman society.According to Russo, however, the remains were “less than 30cm” (11.8 inches) in height and show that the dogs may have been used to perform acrobatic tricks, staged hunts, and fight against wild animals.RELATED VIDEO: ASPCA Rehabilitates Dachshunds Saved from Hoarding SituationNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We don’t know for sure,” she added.PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for the Colosseum, but did not immediately hear back.Although small, the dachshundbreed emergedin early 18th-century Germany and was bred to be and independent hunter of dangerous prey.Along with their remains, archeologists founds the remains of leopards, bears, lions, ostriches, and large dogs during their study, along with remnants of snacks that spectators would have eaten, like fruits and olives.

The remains of small dogs similar to dachshunds have reportedly been found in the drains of Rome’s Colosseum.

The underground Colosseum area houses anetwork of tunnels and chambersdistributed over two levels and 80 vertical shafts. Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, toldThe Telegraphthatthe findingswere discovered during a year-long study during which archeologists traveled through 70 meters of drains and sewers.

“We found many bones from dogs which were similar to the modern sausage dog,” Russo explained.

The Colosseum is known to havefeatured showsin which gladiators fought to the death against beasts, criminals and other gladiators for the entertainment of Roman society.

According to Russo, however, the remains were “less than 30cm” (11.8 inches) in height and show that the dogs may have been used to perform acrobatic tricks, staged hunts, and fight against wild animals.

RELATED VIDEO: ASPCA Rehabilitates Dachshunds Saved from Hoarding Situation

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We don’t know for sure,” she added.

PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for the Colosseum, but did not immediately hear back.

Although small, the dachshundbreed emergedin early 18th-century Germany and was bred to be and independent hunter of dangerous prey.

Along with their remains, archeologists founds the remains of leopards, bears, lions, ostriches, and large dogs during their study, along with remnants of snacks that spectators would have eaten, like fruits and olives.

source: people.com