The Seven Hills of Rome depict the city's original limits. The first colonies of Rome began on these seven hills, which were also the ones defended by the Servian Walls. Early Roman tribes lived on the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, near to what is now the Roman Forum. As they grew in power and prestige, other Romans moved into areas with better land for farming, so that by the time of Christ, these newly settled districts covered most of the modern city of Rome. The first settlers built their houses on platforms or mounds called "tumuli" because they look like little mounds of dirt. These were later used as places of worship or burial grounds. There are many tumuli in and around Rome; some are still visible today under streets or buildings. But many more have been destroyed by building projects over the years - including many that were important relics from early times. It is because of this that archaeologists are so interested in the findings beneath modern-day cities. They can tell you much about ancient Rome by looking at its remains under modern-day streets and buildings. One such find was made in 1595 when Italian workers digging a canal found the remains of a large villa under the street they were excavating. Inside the house, they found sculptures, fine furniture, and even food that had been left behind during evacuation of the house before the start of the excavation.