The Petition In the name of preserving one of the most important discoveries in Rome in decades, we appeal to: Ministro Lorenzo Ornaghi, Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali dott.ssa Mariarosaria Barbera, Soprintendente, Soprintendenz Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma Anna Maria Buzzi, General Director, General Directorate of Management and Promotion of Cultural Heritage Gianni Alemanno, Mayor of Rome Marco Perina, Assessore alla Cultura del XX Municipio The site of the "Gladiator tomb" is one of overwhelming cultural and historic value not only for Italy but for all of humanity. Given the response from the academic world and public enthusiasm since its discovery in 2008 for the incredible level of preservation of the site, quality of the tombs and section of Via Flaminia road, and identification of Marcus Nonius Macrinus' mausoleum (readily linked in the press with Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe's Maximus Gladiator character from Ridley Scott's film Gladiator), we believe that the study of site should continue and the site should not be abandoned nor reburied. Currently, the funding of cultural heritage in Italy (and the world) is, indeed, lamentably lacking, but the "Gladiator tomb" site is exactly the sort of discovery that serves to remind us we need to support heritage sites beyond the initial excavation, discovery, and study. And few discoveries around world have struck a chord with such a large worldwide audience. Conservation of the site merits further attention and discussion on costs and overall plans for the site should be open for further discussion. We, the undersigned archaeologists, scholars, scientists, and members of the general public from all over the world now join with an increasingly large number of Italian citizens to raise our voices in protest against the covering of this unique site and we advocate a forum to discuss alternative solutions.