Explorers have uncovered opulent Roman villas, including intricate marble floors and mosaics, submerged along the coastline near Naples and Bacoli, Italy, in the area known as the Submerged Archaeological Park of Baiae.
The ruins date back to the last days of the Roman Empire (3rd to 5th century CE), presenting the sophistication of the Roman elite who frequented the seaside resort town, known for its thermal baths and lavish atmosphere.
One of the latest discoveries is a stunning restored marble mosaic floor from a traditional Roman villa, featuring intricate geometric patterns created using the opus sectile technique of precisely cut stone pieces. The floor was originally part of a room in the same villa as a decorated porch with a Roman mosaic.
The town of Baiae was submerged due to bradyseism, a geological phenomenon involving the gradual rise and fall of the earth's surface combined with volcanic activity in the Campi Flegrei area, which has underwater volcanoes that have been active for thousands of years.
Restoring the fragmented and extensive marble floors underwater presents unique challenges,
The Mayor of Bacoli and the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park have praised the find as "stupendous."
The area has become a popular diving spot, allowing visitors to explore the submerged ruins. However, seismic activity in the region has been intensifying, raising fears of a reawakening volcano.
Sources: AOL, NewsYou, PopularMechanics, AncientOrigins
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
