Four-wheeled chariot found in Pompeii excavations

A large, four-wheeled ceremonial chariot, finely decorated and almost intact, has been discovered during excavations in Pompeii.The chariot, with its iron elements, beautiful bronze decorations and mineralized wooden remains, was found in Civita Giuliana, north of Pompeii, beyond the walls of the ancient city, in the portico in front of a stable where the remains of three horses had been discovered in 2018.It was miraculously spared of damage during both collapsing of the walls and roof during the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in 79AD, and the looting by modern-day thieves who dug tunnels through the site, grazing the chariot on either side but not damaging it.

The chariot was probably not used for everyday use or agricultural transport but for festivities and parades.Archaeologists say the cart may also have been used to carrying brides to their new homes.On the high iron wheels stands the caisson, the main part of the wagon, on which there were seats for one or two people, surrounded by metal armrests and backrests.It is richly decorated along its length alternating carved bronze plates and wooden panels painted in red and black, while the back ends with a complex decorative system of bronze and tin medallions with erotic scenes.

An interdisciplinary team involving archaeologists, architects, engineers, restorers, volcanologists, archaeobotanists and anthropologists took part in the excavation, which reached a depth of 6 metres.It was discovered when, on Jan. 7, an iron element emerged from the blanket of volcanic material that had filled the two-story portico.The shape suggested the presence of a buried artefact of some importance.

From the outset, the dig was technically and operationally very complex, since the rooms under investigation were partly under modern houses and the material begin recovered was fragile.Each time a gap was found, plaster was poured over it in an attempt to preserve the imprint of organic material no longer present.

In this way, it was possible to preserve the helm and the bench of the chariot, as well as impressions of ropes and cordss.The project, which is ongoing, is being carried out in cooperation with police efforts to stop the targeting of cultural heritage by thieves who have in the past dug several tunnels in the area to plunder one of the most significant villas in the Vesuvian area.Two people who live in the houses on top of the site are currently on trial for allegedly digging a network of tunnels of more than 80 metres long, used for the systematic looting of the site.