Part of the mummified remains, including hair and bones, were found in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, a former slave who emerged from the social class.
The remains of Marcus Venerius Secundio were found in a tomb in the cemetery of Porta Sarno, which is one of the main entrances to the city. It is believed that the history of this tomb dates back to the decades before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii.
Described as the best-preserved human remains found in Pompeii include Secundio’s gray hair and partially visible ears. Preliminary tests showed that he died at about 60 years old.
Archaeologists say this discovery is unusual because deceased adults in Roman times are usually cremated. A glass urn was also found in the tomb with the name of a woman, Novia Amabilis, possibly Secundio’s wife.
“Pompeii is always amazing,” said Dario Franceschini, the Italian Minister of Culture.
Secundio was a slave and guardian of the temple of Venus in ancient Pompeii. After being freed from slavery, he joined the ranks of Augustus, a priest college responsible for the form of emperor worship. The fact that he was buried in the tomb proves that he successfully obtained a good social and economic status.
In addition, the marble slab found on the top of the tomb has an inscription dedicated to Secundio, which refers to the theater performance of Pompeii in Greek. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, head of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, stated that the inscription is “the first clear evidence that Pompeii performed in Greek.”
Zuchtriegel added: “The organization of the Greek performance proves the lively and open cultural atmosphere unique to ancient Pompeii.”
The excavation of the Porta Sarno necropolis is a joint project of the Pompeii Archaeological Park and the European University of Valencia.
In recent years, dozens of new discoveries have been unearthed in the vast area of the Archaeological Park Regio V, including the remains of people and animals who died due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which has not yet been fully opened to the public.
