Big Mac with a Slice of History: McDonalds Creates Transparent Floor Above Ancient Roman Road

A brand-new McDonald’s restaurant opened in Italy last month, with one added extra that wasn’t on the original menu: an ancient Roman road, complete with three skeletons. The existence of the road, which was “hiding” for centuries, was first revealed when work began on the restaurant in 2014.

Restoring the Ancient Roman Road

Even though McDonald’s is usually seen more as a threat to every historic nation’s cultural heritage than a possible help, apparently this isn’t always the case. Located in Frattocchie, a small community 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) south of Rome, this 45-meter (150 ft.) long ancient Roman road dates back to around the 2nd – 1st century BC and is believed to have fallen out of use about three centuries later.

The pathway branches off the famous Appian Way (originally known as Regina Viarum), which is widely regarded as Europe’s first super-highway, and was a significant communication link between the capital and its southern sectors.

• Built to Last: The Secret that Enabled Roman Roads to Withstand the Passage of Time
• Ancient Journeys: What was Travel Like for the Romans?