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Life-sized murals discovered on walls of Pompeii home buried by volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago
POMPEII, Italy – Recent archaeological findings in Pompeii, a city famously preserved by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, have unveiled stunning murals that offer insights into the social and religious practices of the ancient inhabitants.
The Archaeological Park of Pompeii has reported that the frescoes depict life-sized images of women who are engaged in a ceremonial procession dedicated to Dionysus, the deity associated with wine and revelry.
The discovery was painstakingly achieved through meticulous hand excavation, leading to a residence now referred to as the “House of Thiasus.”
Researchers estimate that these vibrant artworks were created around 40-30 B.C., placing them just a century prior to the catastrophic eruption that engulfed the city.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park and a co-author of the study surrounding this discovery, noted, “The frieze in the House of Thiasus, much like that in the Villa of the Mysteries, illustrates a woman caught between two contrasting representations of femininity of the time. These frescoes not only had religious significance but were also crafted to beautify spaces used for banquets and social gatherings. Behind these exquisite artworks lies a narrative of a religious transformation impacting the ancient world while also celebrating age-old rituals linked to Dionysus, who was worshipped even by the Mycenaeans and the Cretans.”
The artwork features a technique known as megalography, characterized by large figures that are nearly life-size.
The eruption of the stratovolcano about five miles from Pompeii occurred with little advance warning, incinerating the area and its inhabitants.
A combination of ash, mud, and debris surged down the slopes, effectively suffocating many and leading to an estimated 2,000 fatalities as the population was entirely unprepared.
Scientific explanations suggest that the disaster was triggered by the collapse of Mount Vesuvius’ summit, unleashing powerful pyroclastic flows that devastated the surrounding settlements, including Pompeii and Herculaneum.
After centuries of inactivity, these towns were rediscovered, igniting nearly 250 years of excavations that reveal more about this lost civilization.
Excavations are still ongoing, with promises of more revelations to come. As Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli proclaimed, “In 100 years, today will be seen as historic. The megalography found in insula 10 of Regio IX offers a remarkable insight into the rituals of Dionysus. It serves as an exceptional historical document, and combined with the fresco in the Villa of the Mysteries, it highlights previously unexplored aspects of classical Mediterranean life.”
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Currently, about one-third of Pompeii remains buried, with archaeologists meticulously surveying the site for further findings.
Alongside the murals, archaeologists have recently unveiled other significant rooms including a shrine, a communal area, and an elaborate bathhouse, believed to belong to a wealthy individual.
While visitors can now view the depiction of the Dionysiac scene, tickets must be purchased in advance for specific time slots to ensure managed access.
To safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Site, authorities will limit daily visitors to just 20,000 starting in 2024.
Original article source: Life-sized murals discovered on walls of Pompeii home buried by volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago
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