No bones were found in the sarcophagus

Archaeologists digging in the Roman Forum have discovered an underground temple and tomb that could be the burial place of Romulus, the legendary founder of the city.

Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, said an area devoted to Romulus and a rock sarcophagus about 1.4m long believed to date to the 6th century BC had been unearthed.

Romulus killed his brother, Remus, and established the city of Rome HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

“This is an extraordinary discovery. The forum never ceases to yield amazing fresh treasures,” she said.

The underground temple is located below the entrance stairway to the Curia, a building that survives today and where Roman senators met to vote.

Ms Russo said that scholars believed the temple’s altar had been placed on the spot where ancient Romans held that Romulus was buried. He is said