RussiaThe Stabian Expedition is a unique project of the State Hermitage Museum, the first Russian archaeological expedition in Western Europe. Since 2010, it has been conducting research in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, on the site of the famous Villa Ariadne—one of the luxurious Roman coastal villas buried under ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Historical context
In ancient times, Stabiae was not a city in the traditional sense, but a district of elite development—a kind of "Roman Rublyovka." Here, on an elevated plateau overlooking the sea and mineral springs, aristocrats built villa maritima—spacious country residences with gardens, baths, mosaic floors, and frescoes. Ariadne's Villa is one of the largest and most famous.
After the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, Stabiae was buried under a thick layer of ash and volcanic rock. The first excavations here were conducted in the 18th century by order of King Charles VII of Naples. Numerous frescoes, mosaics, and household objects were discovered and removed to the royal collections. However, systematic exploration ceased, and only in the mid-20th century, thanks to the enthusiasm of Libero d'Orsi, did work resume.
Modern research
The Hermitage's Stabiae Expedition, led by Alexander Mikhailovich Butyagin, is working in close collaboration with the Pompeii Archaeological Superintendence and the Stabiae Restoration Foundation. The focus is on studying the villa's bath complex: the tepidarium, frigidarium, laconicum, summer triclinium, covered courtyard with garden, utility and ceremonial corridors, cubiculum with alcoves, and part of the large peristyle.
Archaeologists discovered beautifully preserved frescoes on walls up to 3,5 meters high, mosaic floors, thousands of fragments of painted plaster, stamped roof tiles, and hundreds of scratched graffiti depicting ships, people, and symbols. These finds provide a deeper understanding of the daily lives of the Roman nobility and their entourage.
The significance of the expedition
The Stabian expedition is not only a contribution to the study of ancient art and architecture but also an example of successful international collaboration. It helps reconstruct the appearance of Roman villas, clarify details of everyday life and cultural traditions, and preserve unique monuments for future generations.
Today, Villa Ariadne is a state museum, and the expedition's work continues, revealing new pages in the history of Stabiae and its inhabitants.
Expedition leader: A.M. Butyagin
Current place of work: Castellammare di Stabia (Italy)
RussiaThe Stabian Expedition is a unique project of the State Hermitage Museum, the first Russian archaeological expedition in Western Europe. Since 2010, it has been conducting research in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, on the site of the famous Villa Ariadne—one of the luxurious Roman coastal villas buried under ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Historical context
In ancient times, Stabiae was not a city in the traditional sense, but a district of elite development—a kind of "Roman Rublyovka." Here, on an elevated plateau overlooking the sea and mineral springs, aristocrats built villa maritima—spacious country residences with gardens, baths, mosaic floors, and frescoes. Ariadne's Villa is one of the largest and most famous.
After the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, Stabiae was buried under a thick layer of ash and volcanic rock. The first excavations here were conducted in the 18th century by order of King Charles VII of Naples. Numerous frescoes, mosaics, and household objects were discovered and removed to the royal collections. However, systematic exploration ceased, and only in the mid-20th century, thanks to the enthusiasm of Libero d'Orsi, did work resume.
Modern research
The Hermitage's Stabiae Expedition, led by Alexander Mikhailovich Butyagin, is working in close collaboration with the Pompeii Archaeological Superintendence and the Stabiae Restoration Foundation. The focus is on studying the villa's bath complex: the tepidarium, frigidarium, laconicum, summer triclinium, covered courtyard with garden, utility and ceremonial corridors, cubiculum with alcoves, and part of the large peristyle.
Archaeologists discovered beautifully preserved frescoes on walls up to 3,5 meters high, mosaic floors, thousands of fragments of painted plaster, stamped roof tiles, and hundreds of scratched graffiti depicting ships, people, and symbols. These finds provide a deeper understanding of the daily lives of the Roman nobility and their entourage.
The significance of the expedition
The Stabian expedition is not only a contribution to the study of ancient art and architecture but also an example of successful international collaboration. It helps reconstruct the appearance of Roman villas, clarify details of everyday life and cultural traditions, and preserve unique monuments for future generations.
Today, Villa Ariadne is a state museum, and the expedition's work continues, revealing new pages in the history of Stabiae and its inhabitants.
Expedition leader: A.M. Butyagin
Current place of work: Castellammare di Stabia (Italy)