Roman Gemstone Discovered in Lagoon

Archaeologists found a rare engraved gemstone in the village of Lio Piccolo.

Professors Carlo Beltrame and Dr. Elisa Costa of Ca’ Foscari University were conducting underwater excavations when they discovered the gem. It is an uncommon relic for an underwater setting. The mythological figure engraved combined with the jewelry’s quality suggests that affluent Romans may have traveled through the region. There are only two other gemstones of this caliber to date, found in Torcello and at Barena del Vigno. 

Previous research revealed that just like present-day Italians, ancient Romans used the 1,900-year-old Roman villa just north of Venice for fishing. The underwater site hosts a structure with a brick base and oak walls from the first and second centuries CE. Archeologists initially thought the system was used for oyster conservation and farming, but later was confirmed to be a holding tank for oysters prior to consumption. Remains of the villa also include brick walkways, pieces of frescoes, and black and white mosaic tiles. The underwater Venice lagoon bestowed many treasures, but this new gemstone is an exceptional find.

Tannis Norton