Neapolis was a major Roman city on the coast of Tunisia, established as a trade port by the Greeks of Cyrene in the fifth century before it became a port when the Roman Empire conquered North Africa. Now, a Tunisian city known as Nabeul stands where the ancient metropolis once was, built on top of most of the remains, making them inaccessible and likely mostly destroyed. However, researcher Mounir Fantar was convinced a large portion of Neapolis was permanently submerged in the ocean when a tsunami hit the city on July 21, 365AD, meaning the Mediterranean could be hiding an underwater city.
He revealed his theory during Channel 5’s “Ancient Mysteries” series.
He said last month: “Neapolis was founded under Julius Caesar, but we know practically nothing about this city.
“The big question was, where is this port?”
Narrator Mark Bazeley revealed how Dr Fantar’s theory was proved in 2013.
He said: “It took a massive storm to finally give Fantar his answer.
“In 2013, heavy winds hit the southern Mediterranean, ravaging the seabed off the coast of Nabeul.
“Days later, strange stone shapes began to emerge from the seafloor that appeared unnaturally straight.
“Further investigations revealed something startling.
“They were remains of a Roman settlement, stone blocks, columns and foundations.”
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“To find out, he and his team took their investigation to the sky.
“Using drone imagery, they built up a full view from above of the ruins on land and under water.
“And it revealed something astounding.
“The remains at sea lined up with those at shore, for Fantar this meant they belonged to the same Roman settlement, it was a discovery that stunned archaeologists.”
Clearly delighted, Mr Fantar revealed: “These are exceptional finds and discoveries, this is a very important discovery
The discovery also helped historians to learn more about the economy and society of this city, suggesting it could have rivalled Rome.
They found hundreds of huge holes believed to have been used for the manufacture of Garum – a popular garnish of the empire, made from anchovy intestines.
Researchers believe the city functioned as the main export of this condiment to the rest of the empire, which earned them fortunes and status.