Falling chunks of mortar from Rome's Colosseum has rekindled the debate about the state of the Italian capital's archeological treasures - some of which are literally falling apart. Three pieces of mortar - measuring half a square meter (yard) - collapsed at the weekend in the ancient amphitheater, one of the most popular sites in Rome, plunging through a protective netting. It was the latest in a string of collapses in the forum, where ancient Romans came to watch gladiators fight and see massive spectacles staged, raising fears about visitor safety and whether the buildings can remain standing for much longer as water leaks from rain undermine their foundations. A restoration and cleaning project is set to start within the next month at the Colosseum, which was completed in 80 AD, but the city council is still struggling to raise all the funds needed from the private sector and from donors abroad. In March, part of the ceiling collapsed at the nearby Palace of Nero, or Domus Aurea - which has been plagued by structural problems since it was opened to the public in 1999.
