|
The First Art Newspaper on the Net |
|
Established in 1996 |
|
Saturday, December 14, 2024 |
|
Roman chariot unearthed 'almost intact' near Pompeii |
|
|
The excavation site is known as the Civita Giuliana, a suburban villa that lies just a few hundred metres from the ancient city of Pompeii. Photo: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico / Facebook.
|
ROME (AFP).- An ornate Roman chariot has been discovered "almost intact" near Italys buried city of Pompeii, the archaeological park announced on Saturday, calling it a discovery with "no parallel" in the country.
The four-wheeled processional carriage was found in the portico to stables where the remains of three horses were unearthed in 2018, including one still in its harness.
Pompeii was buried in boiling lava when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, killing between 2,000 and 15,000 people.
"A large ceremonial chariot with four wheels, along with its iron components, beautiful bronze and tin decorations, mineralised wood remains and imprints of organic materials (from the ropes to the remains of floral decoration), has been discovered almost intact," a statement issued by the archaeological park said.
"This is an exceptional discovery... which has no parallel in Italy thus far - in an excellent state of preservation."
The excavation site is known as the Civita Giuliana, a suburban villa that lies just a few hundred metres from the ancient city of Pompeii.
The excavation is part of a programme aimed at fighting illegal activity in the area, including tunnel digging to reach artefacts that can be sold on illicit markets.
Looters missed the room where the chariot had lain for almost 2,000 years, tunnelling by on both sides, the park's statement said.
Specialists took great care to unearth the vehicle, for example by pouring plaster into voids "to preserve the imprint of any organic material" that had decomposed, it added.
The park said this had allowed it to emerge well preserved down to the imprints of ropes, "thus revealing the chariot in all of its complexity".
"Pompeii continues to amaze with all of its discoveries, and it will continue to do so for many years yet, with 20 hectares (50 acres) still to be excavated," Culture Minister Dario Franceschini was quoted as saying.
'Parades and processions'
"It is an extraordinary discovery for the advancement of our knowledge of the ancient world," added Massimo Osanna, outgoing director of the park.
"What we have is a ceremonial chariot, probably the Pilentum referred to by some sources, which was employed not for everyday use or for agricultural transport, but to accompany community festivities, parades and processions."
Pompeii's remarkably well-preserved remains have slowly been uncovered by teams of archaeological specialists.
It is Italy's third most visited tourist site, drawing more than 3.9 million visitors in 2019.
The ancient city was closed after the coronavirus struck, and only reopened on January 18.
© Agence France-Presse
|
|
Today's News
February 28, 2021
With galleries closed, art dealers rethink their real estate needs
Dallas Museum of Art presents five exquisite works by Frida Kahlo
Roman chariot unearthed 'almost intact' near Pompeii
Spain removes last statue of dictator Franco
'Electrifying Design: A Century of Lighting' debuts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
La Criée centre for contemporary art exhibits a selection of recent works by Jockum Nordström
Major exhibition of works by pioneering woman artist opens at the Art Gallery of South Australia
Vito Schnabel inaugurates second New York City exhibition space with works by Robert Nava
Raymond Cauchetier, whose camera caught the New Wave, dies at 101
New partnership agreed between the National Gallery and Hugh Lane Gallery
Vincent Namatjira unveils his largest commission at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Phoenix Art Museum to diversify contemporary art collection
Scents of time: Belgrade's last craft perfumery
Charlotte Gainsbourg says Serge would struggle with today's censorship
Yuval Waldman, bridge-building violinist, is dead at 74
Fridman Gallery presents the U.S. premiere of Jacob Kirkegaard's Testimonium
Kunstraum LLC opens a group exhibition curated by Paul Wesenberg
Jack Shainman Gallery presents Tradewinds, a new body of work by Paul Anthony Smith
Natural disasters inspire monumental sculptures in exhibition
Creative Capital announces new President & Executive Director
The PinchukArtCentre opens "Remember Yesterday", a group exhibition of Ukrainian artists
Meet the songwriters behind the 'Wandavision' hit 'Agatha All Along'
Julie Delpy, science-fiction filmmaker? It's true
Broadway is dark. London is quiet. But in Australia, it's showtime.
Poker and risk-taking
What is the ideal flexible workplace?
Wholesale girls' clothing for spring 2021
Benefits of hiring Adam Huler Essay Writing Services
|
|
|
|
|
Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography, Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs, Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, . |
|
|
|
Royalville Communications, Inc produces:
|
|
|
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful
|
|