Stunning Artworks Uncovered in Pompeii Excavation
POMPEII — In a groundbreaking new excavation at Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD79, archaeologists have unearthed stunning artworks that are among the finest in the ruins of the ancient site.
Mythical Greek figures, including Helen of Troy, adorn the high black walls of a large banqueting hall, while the room’s mosaic floor incorporates over a million individual white tiles.
Despite a third of the city still buried under volcanic debris, the ongoing excavation, the largest in a generation, is highlighting Pompeii’s significance as a window into the people and culture of the Roman empire.
Park director Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel presented the exclusive “black room” to the BBC, revealing the stark color choice of the walls likely aimed at concealing smoke deposits from evening lamps.
The paintings in the black room depict scenes of the god Apollo attempting to seduce the priestess Cassandra, and the tragic consequences of her rejection leading to the union of Prince Paris and Helen.
As the excavation continues to unveil treasures like the black room, the documentary series from the BBC and Lion TV set to air in April will showcase the ongoing discoveries in Region 9, a residential and commercial block being cleared of Vesuvius’ debris.
With the need to protect new finds, staff are working diligently to preserve frescos in place with plaster glue, reinforcing masonry with scaffolding, and securing temporary roofing.
Chief restorer Dr Roberta Prisco and her team are racing against time to prevent architectural collapses and safeguard the legacy of Pompeii for future generations.
Excavations have unveiled a laundry, a bakery, and a grand residence in Region 9, hinting at connections through plumbing and ownership, with inscriptions pointing to the wealthy and influential Aulus Rustius Verus.
Despite the tragedy of the eruption, the preserved artifacts, including a lead weight from a plumb line and a reconstructed ceiling fresco, provide a glimpse into the daily lives and social structures of Pompeii’s inhabitants.
While the intricate ceiling fresco reflects high-status individuals, the discovery of a bakery reveals the harsh reality of slavery in Roman society, with skeletons found in appalling conditions alongside donkeys used to turn millstones.
The archaeologists are piecing together the story of Pompeii’s residents, filling in the gaps to understand the lives of those who were lost to the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
