Italian archaeologists Lorenzo and Stefania Quilici of Bologna and Naples universities believe they have found the ancient city of Amyclae. The large, massive-walled settlement dating from the VI to III Century BCE was believed by Renaissance scholars to be somewhere near Lake Fondi between Rome and Naples.
     "The road there is a perfectly preserved stretch of the ancient Via Appia," said Lorenzo Quilici. "After a tough climb we found the remains of the old city, which appears to have been destroyed by an earthquake, given the way the rocks have tumbled onto one another," he added. "The size of the settlement - 33 hectares - made us think of a city that left its mark on the area," Stefania Quilici said. That is when they began to think of Amyclae, a city - according to the myth - founded by the twin sons of Zeus Castor and Pollux whose Spartan followers clashed with Aeneas.
     Rome archaeological director Anna Maria Reggiani said: "It's safe for the moment from incursions because it's in such an impervious zone. But we'll have to wait for funding in order to start a dig" .

Source: ANSA (7 April 2006)