A McDonald's in Italy Has Actual Human Skeletons on Display

One of McDonald's branches in Italy contains unique offerings that make it stand out amongst all the eateries in the world. Workers during the construction of the Frattocchie branch found three human skeletons and a 2,000-year-old Roman road on the site, Newsweek reported. Not wanting to destroy the place's heritage, McDonald's came up with a way of incorporating these discoveries inside the eatery. At present, customers can both enjoy the delicious burgers and view the findings, inside the eatery.

Museum-restaurant

The McDonald's branch in Frattocchie was opened to customers in 2017, Daily Mail reported. Mario Federico, head of McDonald's Italia said during the launch, "This is our first museum-restaurant. We've been able to return a stretch of the Roman road to the local community and the whole of Italy." He further added that the restaurant was a good example of how cultural heritage can be reclaimed with positive collaboration between public and private sectors. The cast of the skeletons are present in an underground museum gallery within the eatery, which is visible to the customers, Newsweek reported. The underground gallery is decorated with educational panels, in both Italian and English. The authorities have kept the ancient road undisturbed and the customers can walk through it free of charge.

2,000-Year-Old Roman Road

The 2,000-year-old road was discovered in 2014 by workers during the branch's construction, Daily Mail reported. Experts were called to the site for excavation, with the food chain itself investing 300,000 euros (£250,000/$320,000) into the digging.

After detailed analysis, researchers found that the road was part of the Appian Way – one of ancient Rome's busiest roads. Appian Way was used to join Rome with Brindisi on the coast. The road was abandoned in the 3rd century. 

"We think it was a side road that connected the Appian Way to a settlement or maybe an important property such as the villa of a rich noble or an imperial estate," Alfonsina Russo, superintendent of archaeology for Rome said, Telegraph reported.  "Sadly only this section survived – the rest was destroyed. But it's of great historical importance."

Skeletons

Workers also found three bodies buried on the site, Daily Mail reported. Experts believe that the bodies were put there in the 3rd century. A similar skeleton was found nearby beneath a petrol station which contained a coin in its mouth. Skeletons were removed from the site after being replicated as a three-dimensional cast with the help of silicone rubber and epoxy resin, Newsweek reported.

"The rubber, applied in such a way as not to alter or damage the finds in any way, copied every minute detail of the burials," said McDonald's Italia. These casts are visible in the underground gallery museum. Pamela Cerino, an archaeologist who worked on the project shared that the skeletons belonged to three men, the oldest of whom was 35-40 years old, Telegraph reported. 

Cultural Preservation of the Area

On finding the skeletal remains and the road, McDonald's used it as an opportunity to mix commercialization with heritage, Newsweek reported. "This is the first example of a McDonald's restaurant in the world capable of contributing to the enhancement of an archaeological area," said McDonald's Italia.

"It is one of the most innovative restaurants in Italy in terms of services. With its 200 seats in 500 square meters (5,382 square feet) of extension, the restaurant consists of all the most innovative services for its customers: table service, digital kiosks for self-service ordering, Drive lane, McCafé, and an outdoor play area for children. Forty-two employees work in the restaurant." The food chain is proud of its efforts in creating such a unique establishment where people can both enjoy their food and enhance their knowledge.