Colosseum: Rise and Fall

Archaeologists are excavating beneath the Colosseum to uncover new evidence of the Roman games. The digs aim to reveal gladiator secrets and the fossilised remains of ancient beasts that once filled the arena. These investigations are shedding light on the spectacles that entertained ancient Rome and the creatures that were part of them.

Domination is a programme presented as an episode that takes viewers inside a specific archaeological project. The series frames its narrative around a single, focused investigation, giving the audience a look at the methods and aims of modern archaeology within a historic setting. It falls under the Domination banner, which structures each investigation as a discrete episode. In this episode, a team of archaeologists is working beneath the foundations of the Colosseum. Their objective is to bring to light physical evidence linked to the ancient Roman games. By carefully removing layers of earth, they hope to reveal details about how the spectacles were staged, the hidden aspects of gladiator life, and the physical traces left by the animals that once roamed the arena. The team records each layer as they progress, noting any artefacts that surface. The excavation concentrates on three main areas of interest: the structure of the games themselves, the personal histories of the fighters, and the remains of the beasts that were part of the shows. Each find contributes to a broader picture of the ancient venue. These categories help guide the systematic removal of soil and the cataloguing of items. Through this focused dig, the programme aims to document the process of uncovering and recording artefacts that speak to the cultural and entertainment practices of Rome. The episode records the step‑by‑step progress of the archaeological work beneath the iconic amphitheatre. The documentation includes visual records and commentary from the excavators.