An important archaeological recovery operation has been conducted off the coast of Bacoli, Italy, near the ancient Roman port of Misenum. The operation focused on the area near the Roman naval base of Classis Misenensis, the most important fleet in the Roman Empire in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The recovery has brought to light artifacts of "exceptional historical and cultural value" dating back to the imperial era.
Among the recovered artifacts is a 2,000-year-old architrave. Archaeological work was conducted on an underwater site approximately 90 meters long and 22–23 meters wide, located at a depth of 5 to 9 meters below sea level. The operation became part of a larger project to preserve and promote the underwater heritage of the Phlegraean Fields, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region.
The recovered artifacts will undergo restoration and conservation before being displayed to the public in a permanent exhibition. The superintendent, Mariano Nuzzo, emphasized the significance of the find, highlighting the importance of the recovered marble fragments. These elements give insight into the political, social, and cultural aspects of Misenum in the context of the ancient Mediterranean.