Between 2003 and 2005 in Naples , in Piazza Municipio , following excavations for the underground, seven Roman ships dated between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD were found. , part of the ancient port structures and thousands of finds closely related to commercial activity were found.
The ships were intended for the transport of goods between the port and the honorary ships of greater tonnage anchored in the harbor, but some destined to more demanding journeys along the coast and probably also able to reach the port of Ostia.
About 15 meters long on average they were built in fir wood with conservative interventions in ancient times as evidence of the intense use to which they were intended, and showed a remarkable level of construction skills.
They were extracted from a mud bed formed following a flood that buried part of the port of Neapolis between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD , sealing them in a state about thirteen meters thick which allowed their excellent conservation.
The funds allocated were used to set up an exhibition of the materials found consisting of amphorae, glass bottles, coins, jewels, ropes, shoes and various ceramics, after appropriate restoration.
Some finds (the remains of two 11 m long Roman ships) are preserved in Piscinola , inside a shed, in special tanks that are emptied and filled with fresh water every two weeks, at a constant temperature of 8 degrees, waiting for a restoration.
In the basement of the Archaeological Museum of Naples, Mann's "#StazioneNeapolis" room, exhibits are exhibited that reconstruct the history and characteristics of the ancient port of Naples, starting from the first phase of excavations of the Piazza Municipio underground, at the beginning of the 2000s , and reaching the latest findings, between 2014 and 2015, including a splendid anchor of over two and a half meters (datable to the end of the 2nd century BC), an oar and a mast (imperial age), residues of the boats that docked in the old city port.