The excavations carried out in 1996-1998 in the area of the so-called “Scavi Nuovi” brought to light a small section of the insulae situated at the north-western end of ancient Herculaneum and given a preliminary identification as the northern Insulae. The present investigations however revealed that the previously identified structures belonged to two distinct architectural sections, which fell within two diverse insulae, separated by a narrow space: Insula I and the north-western Insula.

The extreme south-western part of the latter was occupied by a bath complex overlooking the sea. Most of the complex is still buried beyond the present edge of the open area excavations. The recent archaeological investigation was able to better define the organisation of the already known structures, but also added new structures to the general plan of the complex, including a laconicum and open-air pool. The bath complex, whose construction dates to the middle decades of the 1st century A.D., was no longer in use at the time of the 79 A.D. eruption and various activities were in progress, amongst which the melting down of a large lead cauldron in one of the courtyards flanking the natatio calida. Of note amongst the finds the remains of the planking from a small boat, six oars, hundreds of small weights for fishing nets and a coil of rope with numerous layers of leather resting on top. This material, now on display in the ‘Padiglione della Barca’, suggests that the abandoned bath complex was used as a boat house and for the storage of equipment relating to seafaring activities.