New Pompeii Frescoes Discovered
Archaeologists have discovered vibrant, well-preserved frescoes depicting mythological scenes and daily life in the House of the Vettii at Pompeii, shortly after the site reopened to visitors. The new finds add to Pompeii's allure and provide further insight into ancient Roman culture. The discovery comes as part of ongoing excavation work at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The House of the Vettii, where the new frescoes were found, reopened to the public in 2023 after a 20-year closure for extensive restoration work. This iconic house was owned by two formerly enslaved brothers, Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva, who became wealthy wine merchants. - One of the most challenging aspects of the recent restoration was the removal of layers of wax applied to the frescoes in the past, which had unfortunately obscured many of the painted details. The project, which began in 2016, involved a wide range of professionals, including archaeologists, architects, and restorers. - In a separate discovery within a large house in Regio IX, archaeologists uncovered a banquet hall with black-painted walls, likely to mask smoke from oil lamps. This room features dramatic frescoes of mythological figures associated with the Trojan War, including Helen of Troy meeting Paris and Apollo's attempt to seduce the priestess Cassandra. - The black banquet hall also contains a well-preserved mosaic floor made from over a million tiny white tiles, creating a stark contrast with the dark walls. - Another significant new find in Regio IX is a large fresco, or "megalography," stretching across three walls of a banquet hall in the "House of Thiasus." This painting depicts a vibrant procession for Dionysus, the god of wine, featuring his female followers, known as Bacchantes, and satyrs playing music. - The ongoing excavations in Regio IX are part of the Great Pompeii Project, aimed at addressing conservation issues and exploring unexcavated areas of the ancient city. This project has also unearthed a bakery with an adjoining prison, a laundry, and the skeletal remains of three individuals who were taking refuge from the eruption. - In the atrium of a house connected to the bakery in Regio IX, a fresco resembling a pizza was discovered. While it lacks key ingredients like tomatoes and mozzarella, the still life depicts a flat focaccia bread with fruits, spices, and a possible form of pesto. - The recent discoveries are not limited to grand homes; they also shed light on the lives of the city's working class and enslaved people. Evidence from a newly found bakery and laundry suggests these businesses were likely owned by the same person who owned the adjacent house where frescoes were found.
