Archaeologists Uncover Nearly Intact 2,000-Year-Old Ceremonial Chariot In Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii, near Naples, Italy, was lost when ash buried it after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The first time the ruins of Pompeii were found was in the 16th century and intentional excavations started in the middle of the 18th century. The area is 66 hectares (165 acres) and even after a few centuries, archaeologists have not stopped making new discoveries. .

The area is an archaeological treasure trove. During excavations, a row of shops, a large amount of jewelry, vases, statuettes, gold, silver and bronze coins, frescoes, murals and mosaics were found. Also the remains of people who were victims of a natural disaster. And a third of the area still remains unexplored. Now a new artifact has been discovered – an almost entirely intact ceremonial carriage.

THE LATEST DISCOVERY IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF POMPEI IS AN ALMOST INTACT FOUR-WHEEL CHARIOT

One of the newest discoveries in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was made on January 7th of this year. Archaeologists have revealed a ceremonial carriage. It was found near a stable where three horses were discovered in 2018. Although the carriage is in good condition having been buried for two millennia under ash and surviving the collapse of the walls and roof, it was very fragile and archaeologists were using techniques specials to discover it without damaging it.

BECAUSE OF THE FRAGILE CONDITION OF THE CARRIAGE, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO EXcavate

The discovery was made after an investigation into illegal excavations began. The looters dug tunnels at the site that led to one of the villages. They grazed the four-wheeled carriage but, fortunately, did not damage it.

During the weeks that archaeologists discovered the carriage, the site was guarded by local officials to prevent any looters from stealing. To ensure the carriage was rescued, archaeologists worked on weekends just so they could transport the carriage to a safe location to examine it as soon as possible. Now it is being cleaned of volcanic material in the laboratory, where specialists will begin a long process of restoration and reconstruction.

THE CARRIAGE WAS FOUND IN A TWO-STORY GANTRY CONNECTED TO STABLES IN AN OLD VILLA IN CIVITA GIULIANA

THE CARRIAGE COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO TRANSPORT THE BRIDE TO HER NEW HOME

The discovery of this carriage is exceptional not only because it is preserved in its entirety, but also because previously only practical vehicles used for transport and work were found, but this time there is evidence that suggests that the newly found carriage was used for ceremonies. The carriage was decorated with iron components, bronze and pewter ornaments. Archaeologists also found traces of cushions, strings and an imprint of two grains of wheat on the seat. Wheat grains can indicate someone wishing the couple fertility.

The director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Massimo Osanna, believes that the decorations may indicate that the carriage was used in community celebrations, such as parades, processions and weddings. It could have been used to take the bride to her new home.

THE BRONZE MEDALS SURROUNDED BY DECORATIVE MOTIVES REPRESENT MALE AND FEMALE FIGURES IN RELIEF, PICTURED IN EROTIC SCENES

THIS IS THE FIRST CARRIAGE OF ITS TYPE FOUND IN ITALY, AS CARRIAGES FOUND PREVIOUSLY WERE USED ONLY FOR TRANSPORTATION

This carriage is the first of its kind found in Italy. Massimo Osanna described it as “an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world”. It could only be compared with chariots found 15 years ago in Thrace, northern Greece, on the border with Bulgaria. One of these chariots is similar to the one found in Pompeii, but it was unadorned. These types of cars, called pilentum, were used by the rich for religious services, but also to represent the superior status of the owner.

THE PICTURE SHOWS THE BACK OF THE CHARIOT, WITH THE ORNATE DESIGNS HIGHLIGHTING ITS CEREMONIAL USE

This particular village north of Pompeii in Civita Giuliana, where the chariot was found, is very large and valuable for research because people were still living in it during the eruption. Many other villages were emptied for renovations after an earthquake in AD 62.

The Minister of Culture, Dario Francheschini, commented that “Pompeii continues to surprise with all its discoveries, and will continue to do so for many years to come, with twenty hectares to be excavated. But, above all, it demonstrates that it can happen

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