Archaeological digs which were carried out between 1999 and 2002 by the local authority of the region (of Marche), unearthed an enormous cross-section of the ancient Port of Ancona dating from the fourth century BC to the Byzantine era (4th century BC-1453) and the Mediaeval period (476 AD to the 16th century).
Of particular interest are the structures of the port from Augustin (22 BC-14AD ) and to the Trajan periods of the Roman age, including buildings, warehouses and shipyards, plus the massive wall built around the port in the Republican age (second century BC).