Rendered in the Roman Third Style, the murals feature visual illusions mimicking altars painted on dark, monochromatic fields of color.
archaeology
Is This Stingray-Shaped Rock the First Artwork Depicting an Animal?
A team of scientists theorize that a kite-shaped stone found on the coast of South Africa was intentionally shaped to resemble an endemic blue stingray species.
Massive Missing Head of Ancient Ramesses II Statue Uncovered
The 12-foot bust completes a puzzle that has remained unsolved since 1930, when the bottom portion was first discovered.
Roman Bust Discovered Beneath English Mansion’s Parking Lot
“It was an amazing feeling to have found something so old and special,” said the excavator operator who stumbled upon the artwork.
Discovery of 8,600-Year-Old Bread Gives Rise to Half-Baked Claims
Turkey’s narrative surrounding “the world’s oldest bread” raises questions about how archaeological heritage is used for nationalistic ends.
1.4 Million-Year-Old Stone Tools Shed Light On Early Human Migration
Tools discovered in the 1970s in Ukraine may be the oldest known trace of human presence in Europe.
Stunningly Colored 2,000-Year-Old Fresco Uncovered in Pompeii
The vibrant work depicts the Greek myth of Phrixus and Helle on one of the walls of the House of Leda.
Ancient Snake-Shaped Artifact Found in Taiwan Was Part of Shamanic Rituals
Carbon dating indicates that the piece of pottery is about 4,000 years old.
Enigmatic Patagonia Cave Art Dates Back Over 8,000 Years
The findings shed light on how societies coped with the changing unpredictable climate at the time.
Could This Be Humanity’s Earliest Recorded Kiss?
A Danish scientist-couple has pushed back the date of the earliest smooch by more than a millennium.
Archaeologists Find Evidence of Hallucinogenic Drug in Ancient Rome
Physiological reactions to a plant called black henbane were well documented throughout the Ancient Mediterranean world.
Students Win $700K for Using AI to Decipher Ancient Roman Scroll
The 2,000-year-old scroll was buried in volcanic mud and ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius