The Colosseum Drains of a Sausage Dog Could Have Been From Bear Fights

• In the Colosseum’s 2,000-year-old drains, the remains of sausage dogs were discovered.
• Archaeologists believe they may have been trained to fight bears and perform acrobatics during ancient Rome.
• As well as remnants of spectator snacks, the bones of bears, lions and ostriches could also be found.

Archaeologists believe that sausage dogs were used to fight bears and perform aerial acts in the Colosseum of ancient Rome. 

According to The Telegraph, archaeologists discovered the remains of small dogs that looked similar to dachshunds while excavating drains from the famous 2,000-year-old amphitheater. 

Alfonsina Russo (director of the Colosseum) said that bones found from dogs were very similar to modern sausage dogs.

“They were less that 30cm [11.8 inches] in height. They may have been used for acrobatic tricks similar to what you’d see in a circus. They could have been used in staged hunts, or pitched against bears or other animals. We don’t know for certain.

“Venatio” was an ancient form of entertainment that involved various animals being trained to do tricks or fighting each other.

According to the paper, these dogs were likely to have been true dachshunds and not ancestors of sausage dogs.

The modern dachshund breed emerged in early 18th century Germany and was developed to go down holes and hunt badgers – Dachs German badger means “badger”. According to American Kennel Club (AKC), they were “bred as independent hunters of dangerous prey and can be brave up to the point that they rash,” 

The ancient drains also contained bones from large dogs and bears.

The discovery was made after a year-long research in which archaeologists dug through 70m worth of sewers and drains beneath the Colosseum. These could hold up to 50,000 spectators.

The remains of animal carcasses were found alongside remnants from snacks, which included nuts and fruits. 

The Telegraph also reported that they discovered over 50 bronze coins dating from the Roman period, as well as a silver coin commemorating the rule of Marcus Aurelius, an emperor who ruled from 170-171AD.