A “KILLING machine” that carried wild animals from the depths of the Colosseum to their certain deaths has been re-created, 1500 years after the last creature died before a rapturous Roman crowd.

The massive timber structure was completed shortly before its unveiling on Friday. The original structure was used to hoist terrified lions, leopards and bears from cages beneath the main stadium floor to fight to their deaths. It consisted of a wooden cage and a sophisticated rope and pulley system.

Researchers were able to identify how the system worked based on clues in the tunnel network beneath the world’s most infamous fighting arena. They found bronze fittings, holes carved for timber posts and rope marks that can still be seen in the stone, according to the Guardian.

In a documentary about the project, a full-grown male wolf was carried from the cage and released into the middle of the amphitheatre.

The documentary’s director Gary Glassman said it was the first time in 1500 years that a wild animal had been released into the Colosseum.

“I would love to have used a lion, but there were obvious safety issues involved. In the end we chose a wolf because it is the symbol of Rome,” he said.

Mr Glassman said eight slaves would’ve been needed to lift the structure to the arena floor. He said it could carry a load as heavy as 300kg.

The structure will remain a permanent feature of the Colosseum. Thankfully, for the wolf, it will not be used the same way as animals were used in 500AD.

This time, instead of being led to its death, the wolf was given a biscuit.