Engineers and archeologists working on Rome's new Metro C line say discoveries made during deep excavations will be incorporated into world-first "museum stations", allowing commuters to experience a journey through time.

At the heart of the project is Piazza Venezia, now a vast construction site, where some of the most significant archeological finds have been uncovered in recent years.

Project manager Andrea Sciotti told CGTN that the team is acutely aware of its responsibility. 

"I am very proud to be overseeing this project, both as a technician and as a Roman," he said. "As we excavate and travel back in time, we consider the metro as a kind of connection with the Roman architects and engineers who came before us."

Sciotti describes the Piazza Venezia stop as an engineering challenge unlike any other in the city. Excavation reaches 85 meters below ground, exposing layers of Rome's 2,800-year history. 

"Rome is not only long and wide but also deep," he explained. "It has been built layer upon layer, so it is a very delicate operation to also protect its archeological heritage."

Archeologists at the site have uncovered homes, shops and workshops dating back to the early Roman Empire, which will form part of the world-first "museum-station" concept.

The San Giovanni "archeostation" is already open to the public, where glass cases exhibit remnants of a 1st-century CE farm, including peach stones and irrigation systems.

Archeologist Simona Moretta, who oversees excavations for three Metro C stations, told CGTN that co-operation between engineers and archeologists has strengthened over time.

"At the beginning we were on opposing fronts – we even clashed," she said. "But when the important discoveries emerged, the engineers understood the "slowness" of the archeological process and the need for preservation."

When complete, Metro C will stretch 26 kilometers and include 29 stations, linking the southeastern suburbs with Rome's historic center. Construction began in 2006 and is expected to continue until 2035, at a cost of around $8 billion.

For Moretta, the goal is not only to safeguard artefacts but to make them accessible. "We wanted to make the archeology public, so residents can connect with their history," she said. "Every station is a journey through time, not just a physical journey."

It's a show of harmony between tradition and innovation, preserving the past while paving the way for Rome's future.