A recent study on the cave paintings of the Altamira Cave in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria (Spain) has concluded that some of the artworks it contains could be much older than previously believed, dating back more than 30,000 years. Although the cave was discovered more than 140 years ago, the exact chronology of the artworks […]
Painting
Posted inAncient Greece, Art
The Extraordinary Chigi Olpe: The Oldest Depiction of the Judgment of Paris and the Formation of Hoplite Phalanxes
In 1882, in an Etruscan tomb near Veii, about 16 kilometers north of Rome, a Greek pitcher—an olpe—was discovered. It had remained hidden in a burial chamber that had been sealed off in antiquity due to a collapse, which allowed it to reach us in an exceptional state of preservation. It was not Etruscan but […]
Posted inArt, Classical Archaeology
“Pompeian Gray” Discovered in Pompeii Excavations: A Unique Color in the Roman World
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 […]
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 Large Bath Complex Discovered in Pompeii Within a Domus Decorated with Scenes of Athletes and Paintings of the Trojan War
A new archaeological discovery in Pompeii has unveiled a bath complex inside a private domus, accompanied by a banquet hall. This find stands as a clear example of how Roman architecture not only addressed functional needs but also served as a stage to showcase the social and cultural status of its owners. The discovery took […]
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 inArt, Medieval Archaeology
The Only Contemporary Portrait of the Last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, Discovered in Greece
An exceptional discovery has brought to light the only known contemporary representation of the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine XI Palaiologos. This valuable work was uncovered during restoration work at the main church of the former Monastery of the Archangels, located in the region of Aigio, Greece. The finding, dating back to the […]
