The Villa Romana was discovered in 1963 when, in a completely random way, during the excavation work carried out for the construction of an aqueduct, the first findings came to light. Since then the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria Region (Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Calabria) has begun a systematic exploration of the site. The first excavations were carried out already in 1965-1966 with the discovery of parts of the structure and some mosaic floors and then followed excavation campaigns from 1981 until 1989 and subsequently from 1998.

At the same time, a program of interventions aimed at the restoration of the mosaics and the creation of an appropriate roof system was launched. The area excavated so far has allowed to acquire many data about the Villa Romana di Palazzi di Casignana (Roman Villa of Palazzi in Casignana) from its birth to its development and revealed an archaeological site of Roman times certainly among the most significant of southern Italy, south of the Vesuvius area.

This fascinating chapter of history, however, has not come to an end. A lot can still be brought to light considering that the settlement is spread over an area of about 15 hectares, ready to reveal more secrets hidden in the folds of time.