Long before his death, a discovery connected to a shipwreck from ancient times emerged in the cave pool at Capri’s Blue Cave, also known as Grotta Azzurra. This striking find was reported with fresh interest by HeritageDaily, highlighting how underwater remnants continue to illuminate chapters of Roman history on the island of Capri.
In the Blue Cave, the Roman Emperor Tiberius is said to have constructed a swimming pool that offered direct access to the sea, a tranquil retreat, and a setting adorned with seven marble statues whose bases endure today. Previously, three statues had already been found lying within the water. Archaeologists pursuing those submerged relics broadened the search and uncovered a substantial piece of obsidian weighing eight kilograms. Obsidian, a volcanic glass known for its razor-sharp edges, points to sophisticated tool-making traditions that spanned many ancient cultures.
The obsidian fragment was located at a depth of roughly 30 to 40 meters beneath the surface, dating back to the era long before common era. Its knapping marks resemble Neolithic, or New Stone Age, techniques that culminated around 2200 BC. While Neolithic communities left traces on several Mediterranean islands, Capri does not preserve evidence of such early settlements. The absence of local obsidian on Capri leads scientists to surmise that the material surfaced there via a shipwreck that settled near the Tiberius Basin. It might have traveled as a trade item or served as a raw source for cutting implements. Together, these clues suggest that ancient peoples crossed the seas more often than some histories imply.
During the first three decades of the Roman era, Capri functioned as a practical power hub within the empire, a de facto capital in certain respects. Emperor Tiberius chose to reside in one of his dozen villas on the island, constantly wary of possible assassination attempts while maintaining a discreet, guarded presence among the Capri coastline and its caves.
This ongoing narrative ties Capri’s storied past to broader patterns of maritime exchange, settlement dynamics, and imperial life in the early centuries before Christ. The continued exploration of the Blue Cave and its submerged remains invites readers to imagine the daily rhythms of ancient seafarers and the ways they shaped the Mediterranean world. The story remains a testament to how submerged relics can illuminate the intersections of luxury, power, and practical engineering on a remarkable island.