NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In an archaeological discovery that has captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide, a sealed tomb adorned with a fresco featuring Cerberus, the legendary three-headed dog from Ancient Greek mythology, has been unearthed in Giugliano, a suburb of Naples, Italy.
This burial chamber, estimated to be approximately 2,000 years old, was stumbled upon during an archaeological survey conducted as part of preparations for maintenance work on the city’s water system.
The site, which remained untouched for centuries, boasts an array of well-preserved frescoes adorning its walls and ceilings. The location of the tomb is noteworthy due to the plethora of burial sites previously discovered in the same vicinity, dating back to the eras of the Roman Republic (510-31 BC) and the Roman Imperial Age (31 BC – AD 476).
The fresco that has been the focal point of attention depicts Cerberus, the infamous three-headed canine guardian of the underworld, giving the burial chamber its name as the ‘Tomb of Cerberus.’ This striking painting serves as an artistic representation of the 12th and most perilous of the Twelve Labors of Hercules, where the hero descended into the realm of Hades under the guidance of Mercury to capture the monstrous Cerberus.
Intriguingly, the tomb also houses depictions of ichthyocentaurs, mythological figures that possess the upper body of a human, the lower anterior half and fore-legs of a horse, and the tail of a fish. These ichthyocentaurs are portrayed in the frescoes facing one another, each holding an ancient Greco-Roman shield. Perched upon their arms are erotes, winged infants associated with love and desire.
The tomb’s discovery began with the recognition of an ancient Roman wall constructed using a technique known as opus incertum. Subsequently, this wall was determined to be the entrance of the tomb, sealed with a massive tuff slab, a lightweight and porous rock originating from volcanic ash and other sedimentary materials.
Accessing the interior of the burial chamber required the careful removal of ceiling tiles, revealing a treasure trove of largely untouched frescoes and artifacts. Mariano Nuzzo, the superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Naples metropolitan area, aptly summarized the findings, stating, ‘The tomb has frescoed ceilings and walls in perfect condition, with mythological scenes that go all around the room and figurative representations among which, a three-headed dog stands out.’
This remarkable discovery not only features the frescoes but also includes three painted klìnai, an altar equipped with vessels for libations, and the remains of the deceased placed on funeral beds alongside valuable objects, thus creating a comprehensive archaeological picture that is unparalleled in the area.
Ongoing excavation work is being conducted to further unveil the secrets of this extraordinary tomb without causing harm to its contents. Nuzzo shared his emotions regarding the discovery, remarking, ‘The emotion aroused by the privilege of such a discovery is indescribable. The territory of Giugliano, after years of oblivion, is finally returning significant vestiges of its glorious past, to be preserved and protected, thanks to a common effort.’
The discovery of this tomb, replete with mythological frescoes, provides invaluable insights into the rich history and culture of the region, reaffirming the enduring allure of ancient legends and the enduring appeal of mythology across the centuries.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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