by A.P.
A ceremonial chariot has been discovered during excavations of a Roman villa just outside the walls of ancient Pompeii.
The four-wheeled vehicle made of wood and iron with decorations in bronze and tin was almost perfectly preserved when the city was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.
It was unearthed in the portico opposite the stable where archaeologists found the remains of three horses, including one still in its harness, in 2018.Italy’s culture ministry described the carriage as “a unique find, without any precedent in Italy”.
Massimo Osanna, the outgoing director of the Pompeii archaeological site, said the carriage would have “accompanied festive moments for the community – parades and processions”.”This is an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world,” she added.