In April 2024, archaeologists from the University of Tokyo claimed to have discovered the possible identity of the villa after excavations that started in 2002.

Decorations included marble columns and capitals, mosaic floors, splendid fragments of statues depicting people with sumptuous robes, polychrome frescoes and coffered ceilings.

In the earlier villa which could have been that of Augustus, sixteen wine amphorae were discovered, along with a warehouse and a furnace, which is believed to have heated baths.

[7] In 2002, archeology sponsored by the University of Tokyo was resumed and in April 2024 they announced it as the villa where Augustus may have died.

[11] Using radiocarbon dating and chemical analysis of the volcanic layers, it was determined that the earlier villa predated the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and thus could be the location where Augustus died.