A ceremonial chariot in Pompeii: the excavations continue to deliver treasures
Pompeii (Italy), February 2021: this four-wheeled chariot, surrounded by iron, was buried under the porch of the villa of Civita Giuliana, which belonged to an extremely wealthy family.
The photos are published by the management of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
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Pompeii, the only place in the world where you can immerse yourself in life in the days of Ancient Rome, never ceases to amaze us.
A team of archaeologists discovered a ceremonial chariot, almost intact, about 700 meters north of the city submerged by the eruption of Vesuvius, more than two thousand years ago.
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with our correspondent in Rome,
Anne Le Nir
Preserved thanks to the properties of volcanic tuff, this four-wheeled iron-rimmed chariot was buried under the porch of the villa of Civita Giuliana, which belonged to an extremely wealthy family.
The photos, published by the management of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, allow you to discover the remains of the vehicle with a small seat with armrests.
We can clearly distinguish its sumptuous bronze and pewter decorations, its medallions representing erotic scenes.
But also remains of mineralized wood and traces of organic matter, including ropes and ears of wheat.
According to the outgoing director of the Archaeological Park, Massimo Osanna, the chariot exhumed with a thousand and one precautions, was used for festive times.
In particular the nuptial ceremonies.
According to this archaeologist, "this is an extraordinary discovery to deepen knowledge of the ancient world".
Other tanks have been updated in Pompeii but they are incomparable to that of the villa of Civita Giuliana which will be the subject of a meticulous restoration, before being presented to the public.
There are still 20 hectares to be excavated, since the first campaign in 1748. Other finds may be in perspective ...
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