7 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered on Italy’s western coast

Archaeologists have recently uncovered a significant Roman-era structure submerged near the coastline of Campo di Mare on Italy’s western coast.

This discovery is part of a broader three-year program aimed at excavating and preserving the remnants of ancient Roman architecture that have succumbed to the sea over time.

In 2021, the area had already been the scene of discovering a Cipollino marble column with its Ionic capital. It was linked to a circular structure about 50 meters in diameter that is completely underwater, a few meters from the coast.

Experts believe it to be a maritime pavilion belonging to a Roman villa, whose extent and complexity are yet to be uncovered.

This ancient site, located in Campo di Mare, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Roman aristocracy’s luxurious lifestyles and the time’s advanced construction techniques.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!




One of the walls of the structure. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale
One of the walls of the structure. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

The Roman pavilion features a double belt of brick walls, separated by about three meters and founded on a clay layer. This clay foundation has preserved the wooden formwork and numerous foundation posts.

The walls, notable for their thickness, are constructed with a double layer of triangular bricks containing pebbles and mortar, connected by bipedal bricks. This construction method reflects advanced engineering and resilience against the harsh marine environment.

Walls of the submerged structure. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale
Walls of the submerged structure. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

The structure preserves opus signinum coatings and opus spicatum pavements. Opus signinum was primarily used for its waterproofing properties in structures like baths, aqueducts, and cisterns. In the center, fragments of opus sectile pavement were found, indicating the richness and elegance of the construction. Opus sectile is a decorative technique using cut and inlaid materials to create intricate designs, often found in luxurious settings.

A press release from the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale states that the pavilion’s architectural features highlight its significance in relation to Roman villa architecture. The extensive use of opus sectile and opus signinum, as well as the presence of opus spicatum, demonstrate the sophisticated building methods and aesthetic sensibilities of the time.

These components imply that the pavilion was an opulent and representative feature of the Roman villa, reflecting the occupants’ considerable wealth. The site’s strategic and prestigious location is further validated by its proximity to the historic Via Aurelia road.

Another view of the submerged structure. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

The Underwater Archaeology Service of the Superintendency carried out the project, with support from the company CSR Restauro Beni Culturali for the cleaning and restoration of the structures.

The company CSR Restauro Beni Culturali assisted with the restoration, while the Diving Unit of the Naval Station of Civitavecchia of the Guardia di Finanza provided crucial support during the operations. The Municipality of Cerveteri and the Port Authority of Civitavecchia facilitated the interdiction of the work areas for the safety and efficiency of the restoration efforts.

One of the significant findings within the structure includes opus spicatum flooring, a type of masonry where bricks are laid in a herringbone pattern. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale
One of the significant findings within the structure includes opus spicatum flooring, a type of masonry where bricks are laid in a herringbone pattern. Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

Future geophysical surveys are planned in collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). These surveys aim to provide a thorough examination of the site and ensure its protection from relentless coastal erosion.

Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

Cover Photo: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

Related Articles

Excavations at Aizanoi in Western Turkey to Resume

29 March 2021

29 March 2021

The ancient city of Aizanoi is located in the town of Çavdarhisar, 57 km from the center of Kütahya (Turkey’s...

Cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago may have caused downfall of the Hopewell Culture

3 February 2022

3 February 2022

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati find evidence of cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago at 11 ancient sites in three...

Women May Have Ruled El Algar in the Bronze Age

12 March 2021

12 March 2021

The diadem found in the Bronze Age tomb belonging to the El Algar culture may have belonged to a queen....

A rare reliquary discovered during excavations in Poland

19 October 2023

19 October 2023

Archaeologists have unearthed a rare enkolpion -a medallion with an icon in the center worn around the neck by Eastern...

The ‘boiler room’ of the bath in the Ancient City of Metropolis was unearthed

11 August 2022

11 August 2022

The vault section, called the ‘boiler room’, which provides a heat source, has been unearthed in the historical bath of...

Ancient Rome’s city borders were discovered in a rare stone

17 July 2021

17 July 2021

Archaeologists unearthed a rare stone outlining ancient Rome’s city borders during excavations for a new sewage system. The stone comes...

Game Bone Stones from a Roman Military Strategy Game Found in Hadrianopolis Ancient City, Türkiye

10 January 2025

10 January 2025

During the excavations in Hadrianopolis Ancient City in Eskipazar district of Karabük, 2 bone game stones belonging to the military...

18,000 years ago, late Pleistocene humans may have hatched and raised the “World’s Most Dangerous Bird.”

2 October 2021

2 October 2021

Researchers say the eggshell is an understudied archaeological material that has the potential to clarify past interactions between humans and...

4,500-Year-Old Three Warrior Graves Found in Germany, One Still Wearing an Arm Guard

30 January 2025

30 January 2025

Extraordinary discovery during the construction of a New Power Line: Archaeologists unearth a cemetery from the Copper Age with Three...

Metal signature of Roman 19th Legion identified at Teutoburg battle site that shook Rome in AD9

5 December 2022

5 December 2022

Researchers in Germany have identified the metallurgic signature of the Roman 19th Legion in artifacts recovered from the Battle of...

New Study Finds, 4,000-Year-Old Toolkit Unearthed Near Stonehenge Was Used to Work Gold

16 December 2022

16 December 2022

Archaeologists from the Universities of Leicester and Southampton in the United Kingdom recently published a study claiming that enigmatic artifacts...

Archaeologists uncovered largest Bronze Age burial site of Nitra culture in Czech Republic

19 October 2024

19 October 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered the Nitra culture’s largest Bronze Age burial site near Olomouc in Central Moravia, during their rescue research...

Forget Barter: Ancient Tally Sticks Rewrite the True Story of Money

29 September 2025

29 September 2025

Ancient tally sticks — carved wooden and bone records of debts and taxes — are rewriting what we thought we...

3,000-Year-Old Cave Paintings Discovered in Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

13 April 2025

13 April 2025

In a stunning revelation, a dedicated team of researchers from the National Museum, in collaboration with the Federal University of...

The ‘extraordinary’ Roman mosaic depicting scenes from Homer’s Iliad unearthed in a Rutland farmer’s field is the first of its kind in England

25 November 2021

25 November 2021

The 1,500-year-old mosaic discovered by a farmer was considered Britain’s “most exciting” Roman find. The artwork was discovered on private...