Striking new discovery in Pompeii reveals even more magnificence of the lost city

• Archaeologists have discovered an ancient room in Pompeii brimming with distinctive art.

• The room is covered in painted female figures and features a rare blue color adorning the walls.

• The rarity of blue meant that this color was often reserved for places of immense decorative importance.

---

Blue was once a color reserved for the most special occasions. One such occasion has just been discovered in Pompeii in southern Italy, highlighting how ancient Roman culture celebrated art and color in the most whimsical of ways.

During an ongoing archaeological dig of more than 13,000 pieces in the Pompeii Archaeological Park, a place preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., researchers have discovered a room with blue walls and frescoes of female figures representing the four seasons of the year. At the time it would have been painted, blues were generally reserved for the most decorative circumstances.

---

---

“Pompeii is truly a treasure chest that never ceases to surprise us and arouse astonishment because every time we dig we find something beautiful and meaningful,” said Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italian Minister of Culture, according to EuroNews.

The room is within the Regio IX excavations in central Pompeii, an area known for its wealth of archaeological history that continues to offer discoveries throughout the region’s history. The 86-square-foot room (nicknamed sacrarium, or place for sacred objects), is highlighted by the color blue, rare for the time, the ministry said in a statement.

The painting wasn’t the only thing found in the room to spark intrigue: archaeologists also found 15 large jugs called amphoras, which were often used for transporting goods. A pair of bronze jugs and two oil lamps added to the Blue Room cache. The ministry said a pile of empty oyster shells was also found near the threshold. Painters commonly ground the shells into a fine powder to add to plaster and mortar.

---

---

Earlier this year, archaeologists in Pompeii discovered a banquet hall decorated with frescoes depicting scenes inspired by the Trojan War. The ministry’s report said experts believe it is one of the most striking discoveries made at the site.

Over the past few weeks, CNN According to some reports, archaeologists also found children’s sketches depicting violent scenes of gladiators and hunters engaged in fights with animals. The sketches were located on the walls of a back room in a residential area of ​​the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

The famous eruption of Vesuvius was tragic, but it captured a moment from ancient times. As the ministry wrote, everything from death and devastation to artistic beauty was “trapped and guarded by the blanket of ash that gushed from Vesuvius,” all helping to preserve the stories about the life in Pompeii.

You might also like