Venice lagoon reveals submerged Roman oyster farm

In the heart of the Venetian lagoon, a submerged area has revealed a secret: a brick and wood tank containing about 300 oyster shells, dating back to the first century AD. The discovery, which occurred in the Lio Piccolo locality of Cavallino-Treporti, stands as a unicum in the Italian archaeological landscape and offers a new key to understanding the lagoon before Venice. The archaeological site, dated thanks to sophisticated scientific analysis, appears to be a vivarium, or rather an ostriarium, that is, a structure intended for the maintenance of oysters before consumption, an ancient form of shellfish farming that fits perfectly into the context of Roman maritime villas.

The underwater survey launched in 2021 byCa’ Foscari University of Venice has revealed clear traces of a Roman villa, revealing the relationship between the city of Venice and the natural environment of the lagoon, so dear to the inhabitants of Roman times. The discovery is part of a research project involving archaeologists, biologists, geologists and other experts in an interdisciplinary scientific operation aimed at studying the nature and biodiversity of the lagoon, as well as the centuries-old relationship between humans and this fragile ecosystem.

The Museum of Natural History in Venice, under the curatorship of Carlo Beltrame and Elisa Costa, has decided to dedicate an exhibition to the discovery, from April 16 to Nov. 2, 2025, combining the presentation of the finds, images and videos of the excavation operations, and a three-dimensional model of the underwater site. The exhibit aims to engage the public in an experience of discovering and understanding the history of the lagoon through a new scientific and historical lens. The Lio Piccolo site had been reported in 1988 by Ernesto Canal, who hypothesized the presence of a Roman villa. The area has been investigated, revealing not only a tank for oyster farming, but also important traces of a residential complex: brick foundations, a tangle of oak poles, fragments of frescoes, mosaic tiles and slabs of fine marble that testify to the villa’s refinement. It was probably built in the mid-1st century AD, a time of great development for Roman civilization. Among the finds, a precious gemstone found near the vivarium seems to belong to a wealthy person, probably the owner of the villa or one of its frequent visitors.

The discovery offers a new perspective on the way the Romans interacted with the lagoon environment, an ecosystem that today appears more fragile than ever, but was once a focal point for the economy and daily life of the cities that overlooked it. Oysters, in particular, were a delicious and much sought-after food, so much so that they were raised in special facilities such as theostriarium in Lio Piccolo. The structure, in addition to serving for the preservation of mollusks, may also have had a market function, for sale or direct consumption. The Natural History Museum of Venice wanted to make this knowledge accessible to a wider public, with the aim of raising awareness of the need to protect the lagoon and preserve its biodiversity. The museum, which has always played an important role in scientifically documenting the nature and transformations of the lagoon environment, continues its efforts through a series of popular activities, including lectures, exhibitions and meetings, to engage the community in reflecting on the past and future of the Venice lagoon.

The research, which has been funded by Ca’ Foscari University, the Municipality of Cavallino-Treporti, the CHANGES PNRR project and other major scientific collaborations, testifies to the value of an integrated approach to research, involving universities, local and national institutions, to return to the community a wealth of knowledge that enriches the understanding of how humans have interacted with the lagoon environment over the centuries.

Venice lagoon reveals submerged Roman oyster farm

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