Life-size relief in monumental people and priestess

The life-sized funeral relief of a man and a woman was excavated from the remains of a huge grave in Porta Sarno necropolis in Pompeii. The relief is carved on a separate convenience, and then touches the woman’s left foot with the man’s right foot, so it looks like it was carved from the same stone. The engraving is so detailed that it includes jewelry and accessories that identify Lady as the priestess of Ceres. The man’s toga shawl marks him as a Roman citizen. There are no inscriptions that record their names or relationships with each other.

The funeral area was originally discovered in 1998 when the narrow railway line of circumcision stretched along the east wall of Pompeii near Porta Sarno Gate. From the Samnite period to the killing of Vesuvius in the 1st century AD, it was one of the oldest bodies in Pompeii. Archaeological surveys at the time recorded more than 50 crematorium funerals, with volcanic stone tablets and a temporary to Republican-era arched funeral monument.

The site was not fully explored in 1998, and archaeologists returned in July 2024 as part of the investigation into the archaeology project on the death of the Pompeii research project. The purpose is to thoroughly draw, dig and analyze the funeral area, explore its ancient usage and why it was abandoned. The team initially started with a border wall that first encountered in 1999, as the existence of the wall suggests it may be closing the family funeral monument. After removing the layers of pumice and ash, archaeologists found what they hoped: a funeral structure with cremated walls and a wall with volcanic tuff rock engraved on it. Under the relief of that woman, it was a gray niche, and another niche was discovered under the relief of men. Bone fragments were found at the bottom of the relief. They are bright white, and evidence shows that they are subject to heat exceeding 650°C, and osteology tests indicate that the fragments belong to a mature age woman.

Half of the structure collapsed in an earthquake before the Vesuvius eruption, but initially about 13 feet long and 5 feet high, although only two feet above the ground. It is made from opus incertum (irregular stone mixed with concrete) coated with paint. There are four walls, occupying the remains of the gray pieces, and there are two walls, and two central remains under the relief. On the relief are gables decorated with wooden inlays and carved scrolls and chrysanthemum flowers. The burnt wood survives, so does the splash of bright red paint.

Both males and females are beautifully carved, realistic clothes, and exquisitely detailed works on their hands and faces as well as accessories. Their accessories – rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, his Calcei Patrici shoes – mark their high social status. She wears lunula, a crescent-shaped amulet, a symbol of worship of the Earth and Ceres. She secures the laurel springs in front of her body, which the priestess uses to purify the space by burning them in religious rituals.

The Priestess of Ceres are important figures, obtaining funds from public vaults and choosing only from the most outstanding families. Inscriptions on funerals and monumental inscriptions are cited as seven priests of Pompeii. However, their sculptures rarely show recognizable images of their characters. Most of them are vague, broad descriptions, which make tolerance even more outstanding.