A 2,000-year-old fresco has been discovered in an excavation site in the ruined ancient Roman city of Pompeii, uncovering several ancient paintings on the walls of the city before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Considered a remarkable find by experts, archaeologists at the Pompeii Archaeological Park have unearthed an incredibly well-preserved 2,000-year-old fresco, as reported by The Guardian. The fresco, discovered in the House of Leda renowned for its intricate murals and wall art, remained hidden beneath the volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii in 79 A.D.
Having become one of the most visited archaeological sites globally, Pompeii bore witness to the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius, claiming the lives of over 2,000 individuals and decimating the flourishing city. Recently, scholars managed to decipher an equally ancient Herculean scroll in close proximity to the fresco.
The artwork, with only the top right edge displaying damage, portrays the Greek mythological twins Phrixus and Helle. Their story revolves around their escape from their malevolent stepmother, who sought to assassinate them. Accompanied by a magical flying ram with a golden fleece, Phrixus manages to flee, while Helle tragically perishes, drowning in the sea. The fresco aptly captures this poignant moment, depicting Helle reaching out to Phrixus during her fateful descent into the strait between Europe and Asia.
According to Agence France-Presse, the fresco was created to resemble a painting hanging on a yellow wall. The Pompeii Archaeological Park, dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Pompeii's remnants, has hailed this discovery as "magical."
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the park's director, expressed, "History has repeated itself. It is a beautiful fresco in an excellent state of conservation." Emphasizing its significance in understanding the history of Pompeii, Zuchtriegel hopes to publicly showcase both the fresco and the dwelling in which it was found.
Archaeologist Sophie Hay, part of the excavation team, shared her excitement, stating, "Witnessing the vibrant colors of freshly uncovered frescoes at Pompeii is a privilege and joy that never fades. Seeing the latest discovery of a mythological scene in the context of the room it decorated is no exception."
