What would a ceremonial Roman carriage used by King Herod on the streets of Jerusalem possibly look like? We may have an answer after archaeologists unearthed an intact vehicle outside of Pompeii, Italy.
It’s a fascinating find say archaeologists. The last time the carriage saw the light of day was just moments before it and the Roman city were buried a cataclysmic volcanic eruption in 79 AD.
The perfectly preserved four-wheeled carriage made of iron, bronze, and tin was found near the stables of an ancient villa at Civita Giuliana, around 765 yards (700 meters) north of the walls of ancient Pompeii.
Massimo Osanna, the outgoing director of the Pompeii archaeological site, said the carriage was the first of its kind discovered in the area, which had so far yielded functional vehicles used for transport and work, but not for ceremonies.
“This is an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world,” Osanna said, adding that the carriage would have “accompanied festive moments for the community, [such as] parades and processions.”
The culture ministry called it “a unique find, without any precedent in Italy.”
An ancient-Roman ceremonial carriage is discovered in a dig near the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, destroyed in 79 AD in a volcanic eruption, Italy, February, 2021. Pompeii Archeological Park/Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism.
Pompeii, 14 miles (23 kilometers) southeast of Naples, was home to about 13,000 people when it was buried under ash, pumice pebbles, and dust as it endured the force of an eruption equivalent to many atomic bombs.
About two-thirds of the 165-acre (66-hectare) ancient town has been uncovered. The ruins were not discovered until the 16th century and organized excavations began in about 1750.
“Pompeii continues to amaze us with its discoveries and it will do so for many years, with 20 hectares still to be dug up,” said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.
A rare documentation of Greco-Roman life, Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bible scholars and archaeologists are also interested in what’s being discovered in Pompeii because it also gives significant insight into the life of Romans in occupied Judea and Samaria.
–Metro Voice and wire services
