• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered in the waters near Campo di Mare

by Dario Radley
June 2, 2024

Archaeologists from the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale 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.

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered in the waters near Campo di Mare
Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

The initial breakthrough occurred in 2021 when researchers identified a cipollino marble column complete with its Ionic capital. This column was associated with a circular structure, approximately 50 meters in diameter, which was entirely submerged and located a few meters from the coast. Subsequent excavations and underwater surveys revealed that the structure is likely a maritime pavilion that was part of a larger Roman villa complex.

The submerged pavilion is constructed with notable architectural sophistication. The excavation team, led by the Underwater Archaeology Service of the Superintendency and supported by CSR Restauro Beni Culturali, uncovered two concentric belts of brick walls, built using a double layer of triangular bricks and mortar. These walls, spaced about three meters apart, were founded on a clay base that helped preserve wooden formwork and numerous foundation posts.

One of the significant findings within the structure includes opus spicatum flooring, a type of masonry where bricks are laid in a herringbone pattern. This pattern, primarily decorative during the Roman period, was often used for paving and occasionally as wall infill. The team also discovered traces of opus signinum, a Roman concrete made from small pieces of broken pottery, including amphorae, tiles, or bricks. Opus signinum was primarily used for its waterproofing properties in structures like baths, aqueducts, and cisterns.

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered in the waters near Campo di Mare
Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

Fragments of opus sectile pavement were also found, indicating the structure’s richness and elegance. Opus sectile is a decorative technique using cut and inlaid materials to create intricate designs, often found in luxurious settings.

RelatedStories

Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

October 15, 2025
New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice

New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice

October 7, 2025

Despite challenging marine conditions, characterized by constant waves and coastal erosion, the excavation and documentation of the site progressed efficiently. The structural remains, suffering from continuous coastal erosion, required meticulous cleaning, restoration, and consolidation, especially of the wooden parts. This delicate work was carried out by underwater restorers from CSR Restauro Beni Culturali. Additionally, the Municipality of Cerveteri and the Port Authority of Civitavecchia facilitated the interdiction of work areas to enable uninterrupted restoration activities.

Submerged Roman structure of concentric walls discovered in the waters near Campo di Mare
Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale

The discovery and subsequent analysis of the pavilion suggest it was a luxurious and representative part of a Roman villa, strategically located near the ancient route of Via Aurelia. This route was significant during the Roman era, connecting Rome with various coastal and inland regions. The opulence of the pavilion, as indicated by the architectural elements, implies that it may have belonged to a high-ranking member of the Roman aristocracy.

According to a press statement from the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale, the architectural elements of the pavilion underscore its importance within the context of Roman villa architecture. The extensive use of opus signinum and opus spicatum, along with the presence of opus sectile, highlights the advanced construction techniques and the aesthetic sensibilities of the period.

Future geophysical surveys are planned in collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). These surveys aim to provide a detailed study of the site and ensure its preservation against relentless coastal erosion.

Share2Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago
Archaeology

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago
Anthropology

Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade
Archaeology

Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

October 15, 2025
Roman hospital transformed into Byzantine church unearthed in ancient city of Kaunos
Archaeology

Roman hospital transformed into Byzantine church unearthed in ancient city of Kaunos

October 14, 2025
Satellite images reveal 76 ancient hunting traps in Chile, uncovering millennia of survival in the Andes
Archaeology

Satellite images reveal 76 ancient hunting traps in Chile, uncovering millennia of survival in the Andes

October 13, 2025
Archaeologists discover one of Egypt’s largest New Kingdom fortresses in North Sinai
Archaeology

Archaeologists discover one of Egypt’s largest New Kingdom fortresses in North Sinai

October 12, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
245K

Facebook
116K

Threads
44K

LinkedIn
13K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Shipwreck Salvage. Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain

2,000-year-old shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast with remarkably preserved stacked ceramics

July 2, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

September 13, 2025
Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

September 23, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

July 31, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

October 15, 2025
Roman hospital transformed into Byzantine church unearthed in ancient city of Kaunos

Roman hospital transformed into Byzantine church unearthed in ancient city of Kaunos

October 14, 2025
Satellite images reveal 76 ancient hunting traps in Chile, uncovering millennia of survival in the Andes

Satellite images reveal 76 ancient hunting traps in Chile, uncovering millennia of survival in the Andes

October 13, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved