Claim: Roman cave is not a fabled grotto

ROME, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A leading Roman topography expert said a grotto found under the home of Emperor Augustus in the Italian capital is not the historical Lupercal cave.

Roman Antiquity Professor Filippo Coarelli wrote in a La Repubblica article Friday that there is not "a shred of evidence" the grotto is the legendary Lupercal where Roman founders worshiped a she-wolf.

Coarelli claimed that the cave, located under Rome's Palatine Hill, was likely a monument devoted to water nymphs or a fountain built "in the first few decades of the imperial era," ANSA reported Friday.

He said the cave's decorations ''have nothing to do with the appearance of the mythical grotto, which is known from ancient descriptions and numerous paintings."

Coarelli's claims challenge the findings of archaeologist Andrea Carandini who announced in November 2007 that his team discovered the Lupercal, the report said.

Archaeologists have believed for years that the Lupercal exists in the Palantine Hill slopes, the report said.