A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed the discovery of a new color in the chromatic repertoire of the Roman world: Pompeian Gray. This research, the result of collaboration between the Parco Archeologico di Pompei and various Italian universities, represents a significant advancement in understanding the painting techniques used in […]
Frescoes
Posted inArt, Classical Archaeology
Paintings Depicting Grape Harvesting Scenes Discovered in Villa Cuomo, Buried by the Same Eruption That Destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum
Villa Cuomo, an archaeological gem discovered in 1974 in the town of Sant’Antonio Abate, continues to reveal its secrets. This ancient rural complex, located on Via Casa Salese, southeast of Pompeii, was buried under three meters of lapilli during the catastrophic eruption that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD. Unlike other Roman villas in […]
Posted inArt, Classical Archaeology
A Spectacular Fresco Depicting a Thiasos or Procession of Dionysus Found in Pompeii
More than a century after the discovery of the famous Villa of the Mysteries, a new large-scale pictorial work has emerged from the excavations at the archaeological site of Pompeii, shedding light on the enigmatic Dionysian rituals of the classical world. In a recently uncovered banquet hall in Regio IX of the ancient Roman city, […]
Posted inAntiquity
An Etruscan Tomb with Exceptional Paintings, Including a Representation of a Metallurgical Workshop, Found in Tarquinia
In the final days of 2022, a team of experts from the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria discovered a chamber tomb with exceptional frescoes, hidden beneath the layers of history and time, in Tarquinia, one of the most important Etruscan necropolises. Named the “Franco Adamo” Tomb, […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
Exceptional Discovery in Nero’s Domus Aurea in Rome: Pigments and a Massive Ingot of Egyptian Blue
The monumental Domus Aurea, the palatial residence built by Emperor Nero in the heart of Rome, continues to unveil fascinating secrets. Recent archaeological research has brought to light a unique find that provides crucial insights into the techniques and materials used to decorate its lavish rooms. Two jars used during the palace’s construction have been […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
A Colonnaded Hall with Exceptional Frescoes of Hunting and Fishing Still Lifes Found in Pompeii
Pompeii continues to astonish the world with discoveries that shed light on the most fascinating details of life in the Roman world. Recent findings in Regions IX and V stand out not only for their artistic beauty but also for the insight they provide into the customs, economy, and traditions of a society that continues […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
The House of Phaedra, an Atrium-less Home with Exceptional Decorations, Discovered in Pompeii
Recent excavations in the Insula dei Casti Amanti, located in the vibrant central neighborhood of the ancient city of Pompeii, have brought to light a new and fascinating house without an atrium, filled with refined decorations. This discovery offers us a unique opportunity to understand the social and architectural changes Pompeii experienced in the 1st […]
Posted inModern Era
Biagio da Cesena, the Cardinal Caricatured by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel for Criticizing Nudity in His Paintings
There are historical figures who have gone down in history more for some inconsequential anecdote than for the significance they had in the context in which they lived. This is what happened with a priest who lived between the 15th and 16th centuries, was the master of ceremonies for Pope Leo X, organized three conclaves […]
Posted inArt
Julius Caesar’s Villa in Baiae: Exceptional Mosaics and Frescoes Painted with Pigments More Expensive Than Gold
During the Roman era, the southern promontory of the Gulf of Baia (in Latin Baiae) was the perfect location for constructing villae maritimae for the Roman elite, who chose to spend their summer residences by the sea, while also cultivating fish and oysters. One of these residences is located today in the military fortress of […]
Posted inAntiquity
Impressive Roman-era wall paintings, discovered at Ashkelon in the 1930s, revealed to the public for the first time
For the first time ever, two ancient vaulted tombs dating back at least 1,700 years, adorned with magnificent murals depicting Greek mythological figures, people, plants, and animals, will be unveiled to the public. This exciting initiative results from a collaboration between the Ashkelon Municipality and the Israel Antiquities Authority to develop and integrate the city’s […]
