Alfio Giannotti
The sculptures represent a man and a woman and the scientists believe that the woman concerned would be an important priestess of Ceres.
A team of archaeologists dug two statues almost in actual size In the ancient Roman city of Pompeii believed to represent an important woman – possibly a priestess – and a man.
The sculptures were found in a large tomb located on the Sarno door necropolis, one of Pompei’s main doors. According to the detailed statues, dating back to the end of the Roman Republic, they adorned a funeral wall with several niches.
Experts believe that the female figure can represent a Priestess of Ceresthe Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, based on her clothing and symbolic jewelry sculpted in sculpture – including a lumbera growing moon -shaped pendant traditionally linked to women and the worship of the goddess.
The woman appears veiled, wearing a cloak on a tunic and holding what seem to be bay leaves – plants historically associated with purification rituals and religious ceremonies. These clues suggest that it may have played a religious role of prestige in Pompeian society. The priestesses, unlike most women of Roman times, occupied highly respected public positions, having a Influence comparable to that of priests.
“It really looks like a Very important woman in the local elite”Said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeia Archaeological Park.” It could have been a priestess of Ceres, holding these plants and what seems to be a papyrus roll. “
The man, dressed in a toga, is beside her, but archaeologists warn of the fact that not necessarily being a couple. “It may be the husband, but it may also be the son,” said Zuchtriegel, noting that this type of statues sometimes presents non -familiar people. The absence of an inscription leaves your identities unknown.
A surprise during the excavation was the discovery of a old tree root preserved near the man’s feet.
The statues are currently being restored and will be presented in an exhibition in Pompeia As of April 16.
Scabies excavation is a joint project between the Pompeia Archaeological Park and the European University of Valencia. In 2021, the same place revealed the mummified remains of a former slave who ascended in the social hierarchy, highlighting the complex and diverse history of Pompeii.
