Archaeologists discover an ancient basilica linked to the mythical progenitor of architecture.

Archaeologists in Denmark revealed the largest medieval cog vessel globally, found off the coast of Copenhagen after being submerged for 600 years. (Credit: Viking Ship Museum)

Archaeologists in Italy have recently uncovered a basilica that dates back 2,000 years and is associated with Vitruvius, the famed engineer often regarded as the progenitor of architecture.

The structural remnants were located in Fano, a city about 150 miles northeast of Rome. This finding was announced at a press conference with Italian authorities on January 19, as reported by Reuters.

Officials classified the structure as a basilica, denoting a public edifice. These buildings primarily served civic rather than religious functions before Rome embraced Christianity.

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Images from the location display archaeologists working around the remains of the historic stone structure. The basilica featured a rectangular design, according to officials, with 10 columns along its longer edges and four on its shorter sides.

This basilica stands as the only structure that experts can securely associate with Vitruvius.

Italian archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old basilica in Fano that experts have connected to Vitruvius. (Italian Ministry of Culture)

Vitruvius was believed to have been born circa 80–70 B.C. and passed away in 15 B.C. He is the esteemed author of "De architectura," an ancient treatise on architecture.

This text comprises 10 sections addressing architecture, engineering, and city planning, and is the oldest extant work on these topics.

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Leonardo da Vinci's renowned "Vitruvian Man" drawing pays homage to Vitruvius, who also inspired architects like Christopher Wren and Andrea Palladio.

Regional archaeological director Andrea Pessina informed reporters that officials "have [an] unequivocal match" between this finding and the basilica mentioned in Vitruvius's writings.

Vitruvius wrote "De architectura," the oldest surviving text on architecture, engineering, and city planning. (Italian Ministry of Culture; DeAgostini/Getty Images)

"There are few certainties in archaeology ... but we were struck by the accuracy [of the match]," Pessina remarked.

Archaeologists intend to persist in their efforts at the site to uncover additional artifacts. They expressed a desire to share the site with the public in the future.

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Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the finding as "an extraordinary discovery."

"[This is] something that future generations will discuss," Giuli stated.

"There are few certainties in archaeology ... but we were struck by the accuracy [of the match]," stated the archaeological director. (Italian Ministry of Culture)

Luca Serfilippi, the mayor of Fano, characterized the discovery as "the find of the century," noting that researchers have pursued the basilica for centuries.

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"Scholars and researchers have been on the lookout for this basilica for over 500 years," Serfilippi mentioned.

The mayor of Fano, Italy, referred to the find as "the find of the century" while addressing reporters. (Italian Ministry of Culture)

This remarkable discovery follows a series of findings related to ancient Rome in recent months.

Last autumn, archaeologists unearthed a colossal stone basin in Italy attributed to the city of Gabii, an erstwhile significant rival of Rome.

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Weeks prior, the Sicilian regional government announced the unearthing of a helmet from the Battle of the Aegates in 241 B.C.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Andrea Margolis is a lifestyle journalist for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can follow her on X at @andreamargs or send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.

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