Archaeologists digging in western Turkey reveal the luxurious remains of a Roman villa—complete with a private fish pond likely used to serve elite guests fresh eel, carp, and catfish.

In the heart of what was once the thriving Roman city of Tripolis, buried beneath layers of soil and centuries of transformation, a sprawling villa has surfaced. And unlike other villas of its time, this one comes with a distinctive sign of status — a stone-lined fish pond, used not for beauty or tranquility, but for dinner.

Dining Like a Roman: Live Fish, On Demand

The newly unearthed villa, situated in modern-day Denizli Province near the Menderes River, dates to the 2nd or 3rd century CE — a time when Tripolis was a flourishing trading hub in the Roman Empire.

What sets this villa apart isn’t just its scale, intricate mosaics, or marble columns — it’s the built-in fish pond located at the center of the property. Archaeologists say the pond once teemed with freshwater fish such as carp, catfish, and eels, which would have been kept alive until they were prepared for guests.

“This was not decorative,” said Dr. Bahadır Duman, the excavation’s lead archaeologist. “This was culinary infrastructure — a kind of ancient aquaponics for the elite.”

The villa’s layout suggests the fish pond sat adjacent to a large banquet area, likely where Roman elites hosted dinners that began with fresh, locally sourced delicacies — plucked directly from the water and served steaming within the hour.

A Rare Glimpse of Roman Luxury in Asia Minor

The discovery adds to a growing picture of Tripolis as a prosperous and sophisticated settlement that thrived under Roman and later Byzantine rule.

Over the past decade, excavations in the area have revealed theaters, bathhouses, colonnaded streets, and ornate tombs. But this villa — with its size, construction quality, and culinary facilities — points to a level of wealth and lifestyle that few in the empire could afford.

According to the excavation team, the villa likely belonged to a high-ranking official or a wealthy merchant family. Its location near the city center, combined with the elaborate infrastructure, suggests it was both a private home and a venue for official or social functions.

Not Just a Pond, But a Status Symbol

In Roman culture, the ability to serve guests fresh fish — especially eels, which were considered a delicacy — was a sign of refinement and affluence.

• Carp was appreciated for its meaty texture and availability.

• Catfish may have been used in stews or spiced preparations.

• Eels, often steeped in garum or wine sauces, were prized by Roman gourmands.

Elite Romans across the empire sometimes went to absurd lengths to keep fish alive until mealtime. Some aristocrats even wrote treatises on fishkeeping. But to have a functional, stone-lined pond in one’s home, capable of sustaining live stock year-round, was a rarity — especially in Asia Minor.

“The existence of this feature shows that culinary sophistication in the Roman world extended well beyond Rome itself,” said Dr. Duman.

Villa Design Reflects Integration of Water and Architecture

The pond isn’t the only notable feature of the villa.

So far, archaeologists have uncovered:

• Mosaic fragments depicting marine life and geometric patterns.

• Marble inlays suggesting wealth and architectural ambition.

• Drainage and irrigation channels, likely used to refresh the pond and manage water flow.

• An inner courtyard, which connected living quarters with dining areas and the pond.

The layout reflects a careful blending of form and function. Water was not just essential to life — it was embedded into the home’s daily rhythms and rituals.

Preservation and Public Display in the Works

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has expressed interest in preserving the villa as part of a larger effort to promote Tripolis as a heritage destination.

Plans are underway to:

• Stabilize the pond structure and mosaic flooring

• Construct a partial shelter to protect sensitive sections

• Create a viewing platform for visitors

While no live fish will be returning to the pond, officials say the site offers a unique opportunity to connect tourists with the daily life — and dining customs — of ancient Romans.

Feeding the Present with Lessons from the Past

The discovery resonates in unexpected ways. At a time when modern culinary culture is obsessed with local sourcing and “fresh catch” menus, the Roman villa reminds us that this is far from a new trend.

From farm-to-table to pond-to-plate, the echoes of elite dining have rippled across two millennia — from Tripolis to today.