Neapolis was once a thriving and strategically significant port city in the Roman world, yet it remains absent from many historical texts of the period.

While archaeologists had long suspected its general location, efforts to uncover physical evidence of the city had been largely unsuccessful.

Founded during the rule of Julius Caesar—one of Rome’s most renowned leaders—Neapolis rose to prominence after aligning with him in his conflict against Pompey.

As a reward, the city was granted the prestigious status of a ‘Colonia’, marking it as a Roman settlement with privileges akin to those of the empire’s heartlands.

However, as the Roman Empire declined, so too did Neapolis. Over time, its presence faded, and its exact whereabouts became an enduring mystery.

For nearly two decades, Dr Mounir Fantar and his team have sought to solve this historical puzzle. Ancient records described Neapolis as home to a significant commercial port, yet repeated archaeological excavations failed to locate any remnants of such a structure. The missing port was one of the greatest enigmas Dr. Fantar had encountered in his research.

A breakthrough came in 2013 when a powerful storm struck the southern Mediterranean, causing significant disturbances along the seabed near Nabeul, Tunisia. In the aftermath, unusual stone formations began to appear beneath the waves—shapes that looked too straight and structured to be natural.

Further investigation revealed a remarkable find: the remains of a sunken Roman settlement, complete with stone foundations, columns, and other architectural features. Using drone imagery, Dr Fantar was able to construct an aerial survey of the submerged ruins, noting that they aligned perfectly with the surviving coastal structures.

This discovery was groundbreaking. Over time, detailed underwater surveys mapped out an extensive complex of buildings, streets, and an industrial site, revealing that Neapolis had been far more significant than previously believed.

Once thought to be a relatively modest town, the city’s newly uncovered ruins pointed to a vast urban center with considerable economic influence.

By 2017, continued exploration of the site confirmed that Neapolis had been a major production hub for garum—a fermented fish sauce that was a highly valued commodity across the Roman world. Speaking to AFP, Dr Fantar stated: “It’s a major discovery. It has allowed us to establish with certainty that Neapolis was a major center for the manufacture of garum and salt fish, probably the largest center in the Roman world. Probably the notables of Neapolis owed their fortune to garum.”

The evidence suggests that Neapolis met its fate in the 4th century AD when a massive tsunami struck the region, submerging much of the city. Historical records from the time describe a devastating natural disaster that also ravaged Alexandria, one of the greatest intellectual centers of the ancient world, as well as the Greek island of Crete.

With ongoing exploration, Neapolis’ role in the Roman Empire continues to be redefined, shedding new light on its economic importance and the forces that led to its disappearance beneath the waves.