The excavations continued almost without interruption until 1984 and revealed an area stretching 110 m in an east/west direction and 75 m in a north/south direction. The suburban complex has only been partly excavated because the presence of the Sarno Canal obstructing the southern area, and the Way of Sepulchres and Fuse factory to the west. The site re-emerged from a 6 metre-deep layer of earth made up of 2 metres of volcanic lapilli and sand from the eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79 AD, and 4 metres of muddy conglomerates.
 For its sculptural and painted decoration work, the Oplontis Villa is superior to all other suburban villas of this area. The paintings in the II style with their perfect state of preservation are considered among the best to have survived  from the Roman world and can be admired on-site.