Oplontis is an ancient Roman archaeological site located in the middle of the city of Torre Annunziata , which is south of Naples in the Campania region of southern Italy . . The name " Oplontis " most likely referred originally to the baths in the area of Campo Oncino . The site comprises two Roman villas , the best-known of which is the so-called Villa Poppaea . Like the nearby towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum , Oplontis was buried in ash and lava during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 . The first villa , referred to by archaeologists as Villa A , was rediscovered in 1590 during the construction of a canal , but no attempt was made to explore the ruins . In 1839 – 40 , archaeological excavations were begun , but ceased due to lack of funds . It was only in 1964 – 84 that a full-scale excavation was performed that revealed about 60 % of the villa , including a large swimming pool and private baths . The parts of the villa lying under modern structures remain unexcavated . A pottery sherd bearing the name of freedman of Poppaea Sabina , the second wife of Nero was found at the site , which suggests the villa may have been the Empress ’ residence when she was away from Rome . Badly damaged in the A.D. 62 Pompeii earthquake , Villa A was probably uninhabited and in the process of being rebuilt ( a number of tools were found on the site ) at the time of the A.D. 79 eruption . Villa A is famous for its Second - and Third-Style wall paintings . The former are found in the oldest part of the building , which date from c. 50 B.C. , while the latter were created when the villa was rebuilt after the earthquake
eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
Oplontis