Italian archaeologists believe they have found the cave where, according to legend, a she-wolf nursed Rome’s twin founders, Romulus and Remus. Experts believe it is an ancient place of worship known as Lupercale, derived from the Latin word for wolf. The half-buried cave is decorated with shells and marble, and was discovered in a previously unexplored area beneath the ruins of the palace of Emperor Augustus.

Italy’s Minister of Culture Francesco Rutelli said it was always believed to exist.

“These images could reasonably testify that this was the place of the legend of Rome, one of the most famous in the world, and certainly the most fundamental. This is the Lupercale.

The area where the cave was found is a honeycomb of ancient palaces and monuments from around the 8th century BC.

According to legend the she-wolf suckled the twins who were the abandoned sons of Mars, the God of War. Romulus killed Remus to become the first king of Rome.

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