Ancient marble statue of Hercules emerges from sewer work in Rome park

ROME, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Routine sewer repairs in an area in Italy's capital, which was seeking the recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage site, have led to the discovery of an ancient Roman-era marble statue of the demigod Hercules.

Repair crews were called in after sewer pipes in the national park at the Appian Way collapsed, causing ditches and minor landslides. The excavations, which reached a depth of 20 meters and as rules require in Rome, were carried out with the presence of archaeologists.