New Pompeii Graffiti May Rewrite History In A Major Way
Excavations ongoing at the archaeological site of Pompeii outside Naples, Italy, have revealed new graffiti that could put an end to scholars' debate about the exact historical date of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed the city in 79 AD.
The recording of Vesuvius's destruction by the Roman author Pliny the Younger happened 25 years after the fateful event, in response to a request by the historian Tacitus for information about the death of Pliny the Elder, his uncle. In one letter, Pliny the Younger wrote that the date of the eruption was nonum kal. Septembres which, in Latin dating convention, means nine days prior to September 1 -- or August 24.
That late summer date had long been accepted as conventional by historians, archaeologists, and philologists, until research into botanical remains and clothing began. The presence of fresh pomegranates and walnuts at Pompeii suggests an autumn date, as does wine made from grapes that likely would not have been harvested until September. Additionally, some experts say the warm clothing evident in the famous casts of the volcano's human victims also more closely matches autumnal garb.
Today's announcement from the Parco Archeologico di Pompei of a line of graffiti from Pompeii may finally put an end to the August vs. October debate. Written in charcoal on the wall of a room in the Regio V area of the city that is actively being excavated, it reads: XVI K Nov, which means the 16th day before the kalends (first) of November, or October 17.
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Olive tree piece found on Thirasia alters Santorini volcano explosion dates
The dating of a piece of olive tree found on Thirasia will move the dating of the explosion of Santorini's volcano a few decades later than current estimates, the Ministry of Culture and Sports said on Friday, according to ANA.
The wood was discovered in the area "Kimissi Thirassias", the prehistoric settlement which lies on a hillside of the island once connected to Thira, or Santorini, at least up to the Middle Bronze Age, before the volcano exploded.
The settlement is on top of a hill on the southern side of Thirasia, and on the edge of the caldera that existed before the volcano explosion, that is variously dated from 1627 BC to 1600 BC. The wood belongs to the last stratigraphic phase before the explosion, the ministry pointed out.
The University of Arizona at Tucson team that tested the wood note that "the wood dates absolutely to the early 16th century BC, therefore places the Minoan-era blast some decades after the date supported until now."
Sensual fresco discovered in ancient Pompeii bedroom
ROME (AP) — Archaeologists have found a fresco in an ancient Pompeii bedroom that depicts a sensual scene of the Roman god Jupiter, disguised as a swan, and a legendary queen of Sparta from Greek mythology.
The figure of Leda being impregnated by the god in swan form was a fairly common home decoration theme in Pompeii and Herculaneum, another town destroyed in A.D. 79 by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius near present-day Naples.
But Pompeii archaeological park director Massimo Osanna praised this fresco as exceptional since it was painted to make it appear Leda was looking at whoever saw the fresco upon entering the bedroom.
“Leda watches the spectator with a sensuality that’s absolutely pronounced,” Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA.
The fresco’s details include a depiction of Leda protecting the swan with her cloak as the bird sits on her lap.
Osanna noted the fresco’s context of the Greek “myth of love, with an explicit sensuality in a bedroom where, obviously beside sleep, there could be other activities.”
The fresco, with its colors still remarkably vivid, was discovered Friday during ongoing work to consolidate the ancient city’s structures after rains and wear-and-tear in past years caused some ruins to collapse, the tourist site’s officials said.
Ancient Pompeii: Archaeologists Discover Fast-food Business Preserved in Ruins of Roman City Destroyed by Volcano
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient snack bar in the ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii. The counter’s colorful frescoes have survived nearly 2,000 years under volcanic ash and pumice.
The Archaeological Park of Pompeii announced the find Friday and released several images of the well-preserved bar, or thermopolium. Researchers think the commercial space may once have served hot food.
The counter is adorned with two vibrant paintings. One features a nereid, or sea nymph, seated on a horse, while the other likely depicts a worker in a snack bar–type environment. Archaeologists likened this image to a modern shop sign advertising the nature of a business.
Several vessels known as amphorae discovered by the counter are very similar to those depicted in the fresco.
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Lots of nice pics. You'll probably need an overlay killer for your browser, though. (Or you have an account.) I've extracted two of them:
Thanks! I've been using UD Block Element, which is a little tedious and not so precise. I just installed BehindTheOverlay for Firefox. Doesn't seem to work for instagram but it works for others. Which ones are you using?
