Colonnaded Hall Decorated With Captivating Frescoes Unearthed At Pompeii

Jan Bartek -  AncientPages.com - Pompeii, situated near modern-day Naples in Italy, was catastrophically destroyed and buried under volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. This eruption covered the city with a thick ash layer, remarkably preserving its buildings and artifacts. As a result, Pompeii offers an invaluable glimpse into life during the peak of Imperial Rome.

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

The ruins remained hidden until their discovery in the 16th century, providing insights into pre-eruption life. Systematic excavations began in 1738, revealing more than 13,000 spaces within the archaeological area of Pompeii. These include residences, public areas, and sacred buildings. To date, over 1,070 residential units and more than 13,000 rooms have been unearthed as part of ongoing efforts to preserve this historical site’s rich heritage.

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Archaeological excavations at the Pompeii construction sites have persisted through the Christmas holidays. The archaeological team has announced the discovery of an oecus, or a colonnaded hall, adorned with frescoes of remarkable quality. This find was located in one of the reception rooms of a large house in Region IX. The frescoes are painted against a red wall background, which suggests a lavish banquet scene and features animals such as chickens, waterfowl, partridges, and a wild boar. Additionally, they depict baskets filled with seafood like blue cod, squid, and shellfish.

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

The recovery of these frescoes is part of a comprehensive initiative to stabilize the boundaries between excavated and buried sections, safeguarding Pompeii's extensive heritage. Dating back to the 1st century B.C., these frescoes represent the dawn of significant Roman wall painting. They were designed to imitate columns and include an impressive frieze depicting seafood, such as baskets filled with blue fish, squid, and shellfish, as noted by Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

These artworks highlight the significance of food in social gatherings during that era, reflecting the grandeur of Roman banquets. The still-life scenes underscore food's central role in social life at the time and illustrate the opulence linked with banquets. These artistic pieces offer a distinctive glimpse into life at the peak of Imperial Rome.

Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

In addition to seafood imagery, game animals are painted on the upper part of the wall behind a faux column. The artwork employs trompe-l'œil columns—a technique that creates an illusion of depth—to frame fishing scenes effectively. This project preserves historical art and enriches our understanding of ancient Roman culture and society.

The archaeology team reports that in Region V, a remarkable example of a Thermopolium, akin to a Roman tavern or fast-food outlet, has reopened after recent stabilization and excavation efforts. This site is distinguished by its exquisite counter decoration, featuring high-quality frescoes such as a Nereid on a hippocampus and depictions of animals likely cooked and sold there. Additionally, the excavation has uncovered a service area at the rear of the establishment, which served as storage for amphorae and other vessels used in food preservation and preparation.

See also: More Archaeology News

Visitors in the region have the opportunity to explore various sites of the Great Pompeii, which will be accessible on December 31st and January 1st. On January 1st, several locations, including Pompeii itself, the villas of San Marco and Arianna, and the Archaeological Museum of Stabia Libero D'Orsi in Castellammare di Stabia, as well as Villa Regina in Boscoreale, will welcome guests from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM with last entry at 1:00 PM. Additionally, the Villa of Poppea in Oplontis will be open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with final admission at 4:00 PM.

Source: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer