The tomb of Marcus Venerius Secundio with mummified human remains discovered at Porta Sarno Archaeologists have discovered mummified human remains, including hair and bones, within an ancient tomb located in the Porta Sarno necropolis, east of the ancient city of Pompeii. An inscription on a marble plaque on the tomb’s facade commemorates the owner, Marcus Venerius Secundio, and provides extraordinary evidence that Greek-language plays were performed in Pompeii, a fact not previously directly documented. The discovery was made during an excavation project by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the European University of Valencia According to the Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, ‘Pompeii never ceases to amaze and confirms itself as a story of redemption, an international model, a place where research and new archaeological excavations have returned thanks to the many professionals in cultural heritage who, with their work, never cease to give the world extraordinary results that are a source of pride for Italy. Archaeologists excavating the Porta Sarno necropolis in Pompeii have unearthed the tomb of Marcus Venerius Secundio, a former public slave and custodian of the Temple of Venus who achieved considerable social and economic status. The tomb, dating to the city’s later years, features a painted facade with traces of green plants on a blue background. The remains of Secundio are exceptionally well-preserved and partially mummified due to the hermetically sealed burial chamber (1.6 x 2.4 meters). The inscription on the tomb reveals that Secundio, an Augustalis, organized Greek and Latin games for four days, representing the first clear evidence of Greek-language performances in Pompeii. In addition to Secundio’s inhumation, two urn cremations were found in the tomb, including one belonging to a woman named Novia Amabilis. The human and organic remains are being analyzed at the Pompeii Laboratory of Applied Research. The Archaeological Park of Pompeii is working to secure the necropolis and explore the possibility of opening it to the public. The excavations are a collaboration between the University of Valencia (led by Professor Llorenç Alapont) and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Source: Parco Archeologico di Pompei. “Rinvenuta a Porta Sarno la tomba di Marcus Venerius Secundio con resti umani mummificati.” pompeiisites.org, Parco Archeologico di Pompei, https://pompeiisites.org/comunicati/rinvenuta-a-porta-sarno-la-tomba-di-marcus-venerius-secundio-con-resti-umani-mummificati/ Recent posts Getting Married in Pompeii: Why Bosco De’ Medici is the Perfect Setting for Your Wedding The Amalfi Coast: where the sea meets the sky Where Love Meets Magic: A Journey Through Bosco de’ Medici Celebrate Love in the Heart of the Vineyard
Investigation into the archaeology of death in Pompeii Necropolis of Porta Sarno Between July 11th and August 5th, 2022, for the fourth consecutive season, archaeological investigations were carried out, authorized by the Ministry of Culture and included in the project: “Investigating the archaeology of death in Pompeii. Necropolis of Porta Sarno,” which has as its main objective the investigation, study, documentation, conservation, and enhancement of the area and the funerary monuments of the Necropolis of Porta Sarno. The program of the 2022 excavation campaign focused mainly on the continuation of investigations in sector D, that is, in the space located between the funerary enclosure of the chamber tomb on a podium and the funerary enclosure of Marcus Venerius Secundius, which included the niche tomb and the area west of the tomb of Secundius (Alapont Martin, Zuchtriegel 2023; Alapont Martin et al. 2022, Zuchtriegel et al. 2022) (fig. 1). To the east of the funerary enclosure of Marcus Venerius Secundius, a niche funerary monument (US 4028) had already been identified down to the foundation level during the 2021 excavation campaign. The internal walls of the niche are covered with plaster painted with plant motifs: a garden with green plants behind a fence in the foreground (US 4043). Inside, we find two tufa funerary stelae, related to two burials, one male and one female (US 4077, US 4078), with two cinerary urns. Source: Parco Archeologico di Pompei. “Indagine sull’archeologia della morte a Pompei – Necropoli di Porta Sarno.” E-Journal degli Scavi di Pompei. Parco Archeologico di Pompei, https://pompeiisites.org/e-journal-degli-scavi-di-pompei/indagine-sullarcheologia-della-morte-a-pompei-necropoli-di-porta-sarno/ Recent posts Getting Married in Pompeii: Why Bosco De’ Medici is the Perfect Setting for Your Wedding The Amalfi Coast: where the sea meets the sky Where Love Meets Magic: A Journey Through Bosco de’ Medici Celebrate Love in the Heart of the Vineyard
A Monumental Tomb with a relief of two spouses in the necropolis of Porta Sarno In July 2024 the “Investigating the Archaeology of Death in Pompeii Research Project”, under the scientific direction of Prof. Llorenç Alapont, excavated the necropolis to the east of Porta Sarno that corresponds with the area excavated in 1998 ahead of the construction of the Circumvesuviana railway lines. Excavations uncovered a monumental tomb consisting of a wide wall with several niches built into the facade and crowned by a relief of a young married couple. The symbolism of the carved accessories of the wife may identify her as a priestess of Ceres. Additionally, the quality of the carving in the sculptures and their archaic characteristics suggest they date to the Republican period. Fonte: Parco Archeologico di Pompei. “A monumental tomb with a relief of two spouses in the necropolis of Porta Sarno.” E-Journal degli Scavi di Pompei. Parco Archeologico di Pompei, https://pompeiisites.org/e-journal-degli-scavi-di-pompei/a-monumental-tomb-with-a-relief-of-two-spouses-in-the-necropolis-of-porta-sarno/ Foto: Alfio Giannotti Recent posts Getting Married in Pompeii: Why Bosco De’ Medici is the Perfect Setting for Your Wedding The Amalfi Coast: where the sea meets the sky Where Love Meets Magic: A Journey Through Bosco de’ Medici Celebrate Love in the Heart of the Vineyard
