Archeologists discover historical paintings in Pompeii — 2000 years after being buried
These extraordinary finds continue to thrill us. Massimo Osanna, the site director Massimo Osanna, the site director, said: “These extraordinary finds continue to thrill us.”
The courtyard walls feature a painting of two coiled snakes — that are believed to ward off evil spirits and demons.
Ms Osanna described the room as “marvellous and enigmatic that now must be studied at length”.
Another discovery depicts a dog fighting a wild boar which is supposed to symbolise the battle between good and evil. Remarkably the blood-red paint that covers the surrounding walls appears as rich as when it was painted nearly 2,000 years ago.
A site official said: “These colours are intact because they have been buried all these years, but the light and atmosphere will fade them fast unless we protect them.”
Due to the catastrophe the excavations of the city began in 1748.
Between then and the 20th century, frescos were exposed and plaster casts were made of the victims of the volcano. At present, 108 acres have been excavated; European funding has allowed work to start on the remaining 54 acres, where more discoveries are expected.
In a separate discovery announced on Friday, archeologists also uncovered a well-preserved tomb from an ancient Greek colony 12 miles outside Naples.
Dating back to the second century BC, the tomb was found at Cumae, a colony established by the ancient Greeks in the eighth century BC.
Paintings on the walls depict a naked slave holding a silver jug.