Archaeologists find oldest known images of apostles

THE earliest known icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul have been discovered in a catacomb under a modern office building in Rome.

The images, which date from the second half of the 4th century, were discovered on the ceiling of a tomb that also includes the earliest known images of the apostles John and Andrew.

They were uncovered using a new laser technique that allowed restorers to burn off centuries of thick white calcium carbonate deposits without damaging the dark colours of the original paintings underneath.