The archaeological site of Pompeii, Italy. – Mimmo Frassineti / SIPA
The archaeological park of Pompeii announced this Saturday the discovery of a large ceremonial float. It was found in excellent condition, just a few hundred meters north of the famous Italian cultural site. “A large ceremonial chariot with four wheels, with its iron elements, beautiful bronze and pewter decorations, mineralized wood remains, imprints of organic elements (from ropes to the remains of vegetable decorations), was found almost intact ”, indicates a press release from the archaeological park.
The four-wheeled processional chariot. The last discovery of #Pompeii.⤵️https://t.co/XP52Pp3imB
Ph. Luigi Spina📷 pic.twitter.com/I1kkUZEMi3
— Pompeii Sites (@pompeii_sites) February 27, 2021
“Pompeii continues to amaze us”
The chariot was discovered in a porch in front of a stable where, already in 2018, the remains of three equines, including a harnessed horse, had been found, the statement said. This discovery was made in Civita Giuliana, a district located a few hundred meters north of the archaeological park of Pompeii. It was carried out as part of the fight against grave robbers, particularly active in this area of Italy, full of archaeological treasures yet to be discovered.
“Pompeii continues to amaze us with its discoveries and it will be like that for many years to come, with another 20 hectares to be excavated,” Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said, quoted in a statement from his ministry. “It is an extraordinary discovery for the knowledge of the ancient world. In the past we have found in Pompeii transport vehicles (…) or two tanks (…) but nothing similar to the Civita Giuliana tank ”, rejoiced the outgoing director of the archaeological park, Massimo Osanna, quoted in the press release. .
“It is a ceremonial float (…) not used on a daily basis or for agricultural transport, but to accompany the community’s festive moments, parades and processions,” added the expert. Like most Italian cultural sites, Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, has remained closed in recent months due to the Covid pandemic and only reopened on January 18. In 2019, the site had welcomed more than 3.9 million visitors, making it the third most visited site in Italy after the Colosseum in Rome and the Uffizi Museum in Florence.