Visitors to the ancient Roman Colosseum will have a visual treat as they see a special reconstruction of the timber elevator that brought up wild animals pitted against gladiators.
After more than 1,500 years, experts have put up a similar timber machine that long ago hoisted animals including lions, leopards and bears, according to The Telegraph.
Romans were estimated to have killed tens of thousands of animals at the amphitheater to satisfy the blood-thirsty spectators during those years that they engaged in the dangerous sport of hunting along with the gladiatorial battles.
The reconstruction of the 23-foot high timber lift took a year-and-a-half to complete, materials used during the time of the ancient Romans were tapped from the Sabina mountains.
American director Gary Glassman shot a documentary about the project, which will likely be shown later this year.
In the reenactment of the wild hunt done by the Romans, a wolf was placed in the wooden cage, which can be hoisted up to the arena floor with the help of a sophisticated system of pulleys, ropes and lead weights. It would have taken the strength of eight men to power the lift by turning the gigantic wooden shaft at its center.
The wolf was fed some biscuits and not harmed during the reenactment.
Senior Rome cultural heritage officer Francesco Prosperetti said that the reconstruction will help people learn more about the Colosseum, which had a total of 28 elevators underneath the amphitheater that allowed wild animals to jump out and add to the terror and surprise of events, The Independent reported.
