Archaeological Dive in Pescara River to Probe Possible Ancient Gate

A technical reconnaissance will be carried out on 21 July 2026 in the bed of the Pescara River, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the provinces of Chieti and Pescara, assisted by the Carabinieri Nucleo Sommozzatori. The operation follows a report by documentarian and director Alessio Consorte, who noted brick and stone masonry structures while filming his documentary on the ancient city of Aternum. Consorte speculated the remains could belong to a historic “Porta a Mare” (sea gate) of the Roman settlement.

The dive will allow archaeologists and the military divers to assess the size, composition and possible dating of the submerged elements and to evaluate whether they affect river flow, as Consorte warned they might act as a blockage contributing to local flooding. The investigation aims to determine any archaeological significance before any remediation actions are considered.