Italy: the "slave room", an important discovery announced in Pompeii

The “slave room”, discovered in a Roman villa in Civita Giuliana, not far from Pompeii, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago.

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In Pompeii, archaeologists announced this Saturday, November 6, 2021 to have unearthed the remains of a "slave room", an exceptionally rare find in a Roman villa destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius, there are nearly 2 000 years old.

For them, it is an unprecedented testimony to the living conditions of the simple people of the time.

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With our correspondent in Rome,

Anne Tréca

It is a small dimly lit room of 16 square meters, with three bunks made of ropes and wood.

Two are 1.70 meters, one is 1.40 meters.

As for a child.

Modular furniture, built to be adjusted according to the length of its occupants.

We therefore imagine that a family was sleeping there.

► To re-read: An ancient “fast-food” discovered intact in Pompeii

At the foot of the bed, a chamber pot.

The room also contains tools, eight amphorae, a jug, kitchen utensils and a woolen coat.

Possible new evidence that the eruption of Vesuvius occurred at the end of October.

In the middle of the room, a chest contains metal and fabric objects that could be parts of horse harnesses.

On a bed is placed the pole of a tank.

They were probably slaves working in the stables.

The small "slave room" houses three beds, a chamber pot and a wooden chest.

It was discovered during excavations at Civita Giuliana, a few hundred meters from the rest of the ancient city of Pompeii.

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The state of conservation of the materials discovered is an unprecedented source of information for archaeologists.

Because if we know well the splendors of the villas of Pompeii, we know little about the life of their servants.

According to some experts, this is such an unprecedented discovery that it could lead to rewrite history.

► Read also: A ceremonial chariot in Pompeii, where excavations continue to deliver treasures

Nuove scoperte at #Pompei.

The stanza degli schiavi di Civita Giuliana.


In questo video the word of the Direttore Generale del Parco Archeologico @GZuchtriegel e del Procuratore della Repubblica di Torre Annunziata Nunzio Fragliasso.

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- Pompeii Sites (@pompeii_sites) November 6, 2021

► Listen on RFI: Last meal in Pompeii, or the taste of Ancient Rome

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