Remains of a Roman village complex emerge from Lake Fusaro in Italy

In Lake Fusaro, near the city of Naples, Italy, the remnants of an ancient Roman village complex have begun to emerge from the water due to bradyseism, a geological process triggered by volcanic activity. This unexpected event is an exciting discovery for archaeologists and historians.

Bradyseism refers to the slow rise or fall of the Earth’s surface, driven by the movement of magma or hydrothermal fluids beneath the ground. Lake Fusaro and its surroundings are located in the Phlegraean Fields, an active and volatile volcanic region. This area is known for its volcanic structures like the Solfatara volcano and is often characterized by gas and vapor emissions.

Adjacent to Lake Fusaro is the ancient Roman town of Baiae, a popular resort during the Roman era. Renowned for its “hedonistic lifestyle,” Baiae was described by the poet Sextus Propertius as a “vortex of luxury” and a “harbor of vice.”

According to a study by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the Lake Fusaro area has been rising since 2005, with this uplift reaching 138 centimeters in total, including 20 centimeters in 2024 alone. This rapid uplift is causing the seabed to rise and the shoreline to recede, damaging and hindering access to some ports and marinas along the coast.

An unexpected result of bradyseismic activity has been the emergence of a Roman villa, visible in aerial photographs. Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, the Mayor of Bacoli, explained that the villa likely had thermal baths and will be studied by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Naples.

This discovery at Lake Fusaro highlights the complex interaction between nature and history. Geological events like bradyseism bring the secrets of the past to the surface, offering archaeologists and historians new opportunities for discovery. The remains of the ancient Roman village complex will help us better understand the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Cover Image: Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, the Mayor of Bacoli