The submerged “villa of the dolia” near ancient Epidaurus. The preliminary results of the first excavation and conservation campaign

This paper proposes a summary of the preliminary results of the first underwater excavation and conservation campaign conducted in July 2018 off the coast of ancient Epidaurus on the so called Villa of the dolia. This complex of Roman age extends for about 1600 square meters below sea level and it is characterized by the presence of several rooms mostly connected with the processing of the agriculture products, including a warehouse with twenty dolia still preserved in situ. The research is funded by the BLUEMED project Underwater Museums Plan / Test / Coordinates, Diving Parks and Knowledge Awareness Centers in order to support sustainable tourism and promote sustainable growth and promote coastal areas (project N. 703), and took place as part of a Collaboration Agreement signed between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro of Rome and the Italian Archaeological School at Athens.