Pompeii Discovery: Pre-Roman Tomb Found at Famous Archaeological Site
— -- A perfectly preserved tomb dating back 2,400 years was uncovered by archaeologists at the site of the ancient city of Pompeii.
The historic Italian site was drowned with debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., sending layers of ash and pumice into the city killing inhabitants and essentially freezing the city in time.
While many areas of Pompeii have been excavated and restored, there are still many areas in the ancient city where archaeologists continue to uncover new insights into what life was like before the catastrophic eruption.
A team of French archaeologists made the latest discovery, showing off a pristine pre-Roman tomb dating back to the 4th century B.C. when the town was home to the Samnites, a group from south-central Italy who fought the Romans.
"It is an exceptional find for Pompeii because it throws light on the pre-Roman city about which we know so very little," said Massimo Osanna, the archaeological superintendent of Pompeii, said, according to The Local in Italy.
The remains of an adult woman were found inside the tomb, apparently undisturbed for more than 2,000 years. Also included in the tomb were burial objects in clay jars, which archaeologists hope to test in the coming weeks. Determining what's inside could yield new insights about the Samnites and their trade relationships with other groups in the region.
