Ancient Roman 'domus' with mosaic floors tucked under modern flats in Rome

A view of the remains of a magnificent Roman villa, or domus, buried for almost 2,000 years at the foot of Rome's Aventine Hill in Rome. Photo: AFP

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but a building in central Rome holds a hidden treasure in the basement: the remains of a Roman era home, including elaborate mosaics.

At the entrance of the 1950s building at the foot of Rome's Aventine Hill, all appears normal, with a resident loaded with shopping bags kindly holding the door.