Near Naples, a volcanic phenomenon brings out the vestiges of an ancient villa from a lake

It is an extraordinary scientific phenomenon. On the shores of Lake Fusaro, in the ancient city of Bacoli in Italy, several Roman vestiges immersed for centuries have resurfaced on February 26, as revealed by the Napolitan daily The morning . According to the first observations of archaeologists, these are the remains of a villa or an annex building dating from the imperial era which extends from -27 BC. AD at 476 AD. J.-C.

This formidable discovery is the fruit of a volcanic phenomenon characteristic of the region of the Phlegrean fields, located 9 kilometers from the northwest of Naples. In this Caldeira – name given to a volcanic crater – which experienced two major eruptions 36,000 and 14,000 years ago, the soils are raised or sag over a period of several years or centuries due to the accumulation of volcanic gas in porous rocks. Bradyseism is called.

An old sea house?

Specialists tell Italian journalists that this phenomenon and that of the low tide are at the origin of the recent discovery of Bacoli. “Thanks to the ascent of the seabed, caused by Bradyseism, we can today admire areas in Reticulatum opus (a Roman masonry technique, editor’s note)”rejoices the mayor of the city, Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, on his social networks. Thus, walls and pieces of the Roman era are now visible.

« [Ces zones] are inhabited by ducks in the lake basin, a few steps from Casina Vanviteliana »also notes the elected official. This building is a hunting pavilion built by the bourbon-siciles in the 18th century^e century, enthroned on Fusaro lake. For the record, the fish of this Neapolitan lake are mentioned in The Comte de Monte-Cristo of Alexandre Dumas. “A journey between Bourbonian wonders and imperial vestiges”décited with the Josardo Ratio Reason.

Everything suggests that these newly immersed remains are among the old Roman thermal installations of the Dell’acqua caves, where the villas sheltered infrastructure dedicated to agriculture, fishing and aquaculture. It may then be that the building, unveiled by Bradyseism, is an old maritime house with Fisherie. This is not the first time that the collapse or the uprising of the soil has transformed the landscape of the region. The Baïes archaeological park, made up of several thermal complexes, had also been overwhelmed by the waters several centuries ago, before resurfaced in July 2023.

Act quickly to document and protect

Bradyseism also allowed the discovery of other impressive vestiges in the Roman city of Pouzolles, one of the big cities of the Caldeira of the Phlegrean fields. The morning indicates that old warehouses, temples and perhaps even a small lighthouse located in the ancient districts of Lartidianus and Annianus become “More and more visible with the progressive rise of the soil”.

 

« Today, bradyseism allows us to observe archaeological vestiges which were once overwhelmed, but we must act quickly to document and protect them ”

Mariano Nuzzo, archaeological superintendent

The phenomenon is appreciated by Italian archaeologists, because it allows them to uncover forgotten elements of antiquity. But he also worries in terms of heritage preservation. “” Today, bradyseism allows us to observe archaeological vestiges which were once overwhelmed, but we must act quickly to document and protect them ”, Notes Mariano Nuzzo, archaeological superintendent interviewed by the Italian daily.

One of the Pouzolles districts, that of the Rione Terra, is the most affected by Bradyseism in the region. In February 2024, his soil amounted to 121 centimeters, including 88 centimeters since 2016. Over the past year, he won another 20 centimeters. « We work with research institutes and universities to monitor these developments, using advanced technologies such as photogrammetry and submarine laser scanners ”conclut Mariano Nuzzo.