Phlegraean Fields, beautiful marine mosaic from the 3rd century discovered in the waters of Lacus Baianus

Important discovery at the Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields: in fact, the institute announced that a 3rd century AD mosaic with a maritime theme has been found from the ongoing excavation in a new sector of the park located along the perimeter of Lacus Baianus, the coastal lake of Baia. The discovery was announced to the press and public on Christmas Day-a “gift” the park wanted to give before continuing studies on the work.

Made of black and white tiles, the mosaic, discovered in a villa submerged by the waters of the lake, depicts a seabed with dolphins, urchins, moray eels and other fish, probably tuna, swimming among stylized waves. The fish mosaic surrounded a small courtyard, which was overlooked by an apsidal room paved in marble slabs. In front of this area stretched a rectangular space of over 200 square meters, also once paved in precious marbles. All these rooms overlooked one of the shores of Lacus Baianus.

In the coming weeks, the mosaic will be further analyzed by experts from the Phlegraean Fields Archaeological Park, according to whom it will require restoration work, which the park hopes to put in place soon together with the staff of theCentral Institute for Restoration coordinated by archaeologist Barbara Davidde. The mosaic, in fact, is very ruined in some places, with the tesserae detached: the technicians will intervene as soon as possible to consolidate the tesserae that are still in situ.

The discovery of the 3rd-century mosaic was also possible thanks to the collaboration with the Naumacos Underwater Archaeology and Technology group, which deals with underwater archaeology, with the Carabinieri’s underwater nucleus, which supports the Park staff in diving, and with photographers Edoardo Ruspantini and Pasquale Vassallo who took the pictures.

Phlegraean Fields, beautiful marine mosaic from the 3rd century discovered in the waters of Lacus Baianus

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