by Life -size statues of a man and a woman were discovered in a grave in Pompeii, according to the researchers, thousands of years after a fatal volcano had wiped out the Antique Roman city.
Researchers say almost life -size figures throw new light on life and religion in Pompeii. That was destroyed Than the Mt. VesUV broke out in AD 79 AD
The discovery was made, while researchers from the archaeological site and the University of Valencia worked on an excavation that, according to a press release, focused on Porta Sarno’s necropolis, which was outside the city. The site served as a grave and was discovered in the 1990s during the railway construction. Since 1998, researchers have found information on over 50 burials in the necropolis. The current excavation, which is referred to as the “investigation of the archeology of death in Pompeii”, has been lasting since July 2024.
The grave aid of a man and a woman in Pompeii. / Credit: Alfio Giannotti
The statues were found in the southern half of the grave, which, according to a report by the researchers, were covered with pumice stone. The pumice stone indicated that this part of the grave had been buried on earthquakes shortly before the outbreak of the Vesuvius.
The figures are a grave aid, the researchers said. The couple may have been married and, according to the researchers, seems to have been “wealthy”.
“The delicacy and the detail of the sculpture are remarkable,” the researchers wrote. “We can appreciate careful carving of the hands, fingers and nails. We can also see the detailed work on the folds of clothing and ornaments: rings, bracelets, necklace, etc.”
The figure of the woman includes carved accessories that indicate that she was a priestess of Ceres, a Roman harvest and goddess of fertility. Researchers said that they are probably only women from prominent families who held this position. Priests had political power and had the highest social prestige for Roman women. Statues of priests associated with their positions are very rare in southern Italy, the researchers said.
The female figure was carved with laurel leaves, which indicates that she was a priestess. / Credit: Alfio Giannotti
The man wears a toga that states that he is a Roman citizen. Both are shown to carry rings that may be wedding ring.
Other relics, including ointment glasses, which may have been held in the grave, which may have perfumed oil, a broken mirror and a coin that represented the sea god Neptune. These objects may have been important for funeral rites, the researchers said.
The statues can go back to the late Republican period that between 133 and 31 BC. The researchers said.
The statues were transferred to another part of Pompeii for restoration work. They are presented in an exhibition that focuses on femininity in the old Pompeii, which will open on April 16. The restoration is carried out in front of the exhibition visitors, said the park.
In Pompeii, other important finds in Pompeii have been excavated in the past few months. In February, Painting with DionysosThe Greek god of wine was discovered. The pictures were painted on the walls of a large bankett space. Archaeologist in January A large private bath house excavated This included several rooms and a diving pool.
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