Roman Port Emerges Off Salento Coast, Possibly Octavian's Landing Site
An underwater Roman port complex has been discovered off the Adriatic coast near Salento, Italy, possibly associated with Octavian's arrival in 44 BC. This site, situated in the San Giovanni region of the Le Cesine nature reserve close to Vernole, will be the focus of an archaeological project from September 7 to October 4, 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by archaeologist Rita Auriemma from the University of Salento's Department of Cultural Heritage and sanctioned by the Ministry of Culture, seeks to explore the port's ties to the ancient city of Lupiae and examine a nearby structure referred to as the 'submerged church.' Previous terrestrial excavations have uncovered a coastal settlement connected to salt pans. The Acaya LandLivingLab will document artifacts and organize public events, merging research with environmental conservation efforts.
Key facts
- A Roman port complex has been discovered underwater off the Salento coast, near Lecce, Italy.
- The site may be the landing place of Octavian (later Augustus) in 44 BC after Julius Caesar's assassination.
- The archaeological campaign is scheduled from September 7 to October 4, 2026.
- The dig is led by the University of Salento's Department of Cultural Heritage, directed by archaeologist Rita Auriemma.
- The project is authorized by the Ministry of Culture and the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Brindisi, Lecce, and Taranto.
- Previous surveys identified a submerged pier with an L-shaped platform, typical of Roman coastal structures.
- A structure called the 'submerged church' may be a lighthouse tower.
- Terrestrial excavations found a coastal settlement with a large basin possibly used for fish salting or wine production.
- The Acaya LandLivingLab, hosted in Acaya Castle, will facilitate public engagement and artifact study.
- The research combines underwater archaeology, digital technologies, and community participation.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Salento
- Ministry of Culture
- Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Brindisi, Lecce, and Taranto
- Municipality of Vernole
- Polo biblio-museale di Lecce
- WWF
- Acaya LandLivingLab
- Acaya Castle
Locations
- Salento
- Italy
- San Giovanni
- Le Cesine
- Vernole
- Lecce
- Lupiae
- Adriatic Sea
- Apollonia
- Acaya