ARCHEOLOGISTS IN ITALY DISCOVERS UNDERWATER 2,000-YEAR-OLD MOSAIC FLOOR

Not only are Italy's archaeological treasures buried beneath the earth, but they are submerged beneath the sea. This is demonstrated by the partially submerged town of Baia on the Gulf of Naples. Built as a chic vacation destination for the affluent, Baia peaked at the end of the Roman Republic. Volcanic activity caused a portion of the city to submerge over time, stealing all of its treasures with it. The wonders that the sea has preserved are still visible to us, owing to the efforts of underwater archaeologists.

Inside a large villa, they found an intricate mosaic floor still in place during a survey of this protected area, which is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosaic, which is housed inside an expansive reception hall, is composed of thousands of red, blue, and white tesserae. The elaborate patterns created with these tiny bits of stone and marble suited the style of the house.

According to archaeologists, the elaborate floor was made 2,000 years ago. The architectural style of the villa and the fact that many of the mosaic tiles were previously used for other wall and floor decorations provide the date. In Late Antiquity, this type of antiquated upcycling was quite popular.