 The first excavations took place in the sixteenth century and finds such as a copies of the "Discobolus" and "Nozze Aldobrandini" were unearthed, many of which are now located in museums.Rodolfo Lanciani began excavations in the area in the nineteenth century but his work was not completed.The immense building complex of the Horti Lamiani was brought to light in these excavations but was quickly re-buried.