April 8, 2011 - The Polk State College Archaeology Society is hosting a unique lecture this month, presented by an expert on a famous underwater site in Italy. At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011, Ms. Ilaria Harrach Basnett will present her research and experience relating to the ancient city of Baia, a sunken Roman resort town near the Bay of Naples. The event takes place on Polk State's Winter Haven campus and is free and open to the public.

Baia slowly sank with the Italian coastline at the end of the Western Roman Empire and has been a protected marine park since 2002. Basnett will be presenting her thesis research on the site, including the underwater preservation and restoration that has been conducted on its buildings, streets and mosaics.

According to Basnett, the first archaeological survey of Baia took place in 1959. Today scholars and tourists are able to explore the site as divers or passengers on glass-bottomed boats.

The Polk State Archaeology Society is led by Kathleen Riley and will meet in Room 102 in the Learning Resources Building on Polk State’s Winter Haven campus (WLR 102). Riley is specifically encouraging "local history and archaeology buffs, as well as lovers of Italy, students and teachers of Latin and anyone else who may have an interest in this exciting project" to attend the event.

For more information, contact Riley at 863-299-8430.