In 2009, the remains of a rural settlement were uncovered by archaeological investigations undertaken at Meolo (VE), in the locality of Marteggia in via Terranuova, during the laying of a gas pipeline. Further discoveries were made in 2011 during the widening of a road. This early imperial complex was bordered to the east by the via Annia and to the west by a via glareata, probably leading to Oderzo. The territory, already crossed by watercourses in the proto-historic period, was subject to frequent flooding. This humid environment was reclaimed in the Roman period in order to exploit the territory and construct the via Annia. The innermost line of the road was identified. It was built, according to recent studies by Padova University, during the 1st century B.C. to substitute the consular road, which ran close to the lagoon’s edge and was abandoned due to the instability of the terrain.

Five structural phases were documented, the actual road surface being damaged by later stratigraphy. The rural settlement was made up of small buildings linked by cart-ways surfaced with tile fragments. Ditches had been dug in order to regulate water logging. Of particular interest among the settlement’s structures was an ample platform, built of brick/of tile fragments, relating to the exploitation of a quadrangular well lined with brick/tile, positioned on a timber caisson. The settlement was sporadically robbed during the 2nd century A.D. and was gradually abandoned from the 3rd century A.D. onwards after substantial flooding. However, this event did not seal the road network, which continued in use. Layers of organic asphyxial muds attest the beginning of the general swamping process in the area, documented throughout the medieval period.