Pompeii excavations reveal rare “blue room” believed to be an ancient sanctuary

It’s been thousands of years since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius left the Roman city of Pompeii in ruins, but the ancient archaeological site continues to offer new discoveries.

An ornate “Blue Room,” characterized by depictions of female figures on the cerulean-colored painted walls, was recently excavated by archaeologists, according to a press release from the Pompeii Archaeological Park earlier this month.

The piece, which measures nearly 90 square feet, was originally discovered during the Bourbon period (1813-1840), but was recently excavated and exhibited for the first time on May 27.

Experts believe that some murals depict the four seasons, or “Horea.” Other murals are emblems of agriculture, such as a plow and a “pedum”, a small stick used by shepherds and hunters, according to the release.

The pigment of the piece is particularly important, according to experts, who noted that “the blue color found in this piece rarely appears in Pompeian frescoes and was typically used for richly decorated rooms.”

This rare blue room has been interpreted as a sacrarium, or Roman sanctuary “devoted to ritual activities and the storage of sacred objects,” experts said.

Objects discovered in the room include 15 transport amphorae, or large vases, as well as a set of bronze objects consisting of two jugs and two lamps.

Additionally, archaeologists have unearthed piles of building materials ready to be used in renovation work. A pile of empty oyster shells was also found.

The Blue Room excavations are part of a larger project to “safeguard the vast heritage” of Pompeii, which includes 13,000 rooms spread across 1,070 residential units, as well as public and sacred spaces, according to the release.

In 2018, a discovery was made in a large villa located just outside the walls of Pompeii, far from the known archaeological area, during a joint operation by the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Center and the Archaeological Superintendency from Pompeii.

Archaeologists working at the site discovered buildings with large balconies in Pompeian red colors and geometric decorations of flowers and animals. They called it “Vicolo dei Balconi” (Alley of Balconies).