The archaeological site in Pompeii, southern Italy, continues to astonish visitors. This Saturday, researchers highlighted several typical mid level apartments that stored a trove of locked objects since the city was obliterated by the eruption two thousand years ago.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the archaeological park, explained that these furnished rooms offer information about the lower and middle classes of Pompeii, a population that is large yet underrepresented in surviving sources [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii]. The excavation centers on what is known as Lararium House, a luxurious sanctuary that drew attention when it was illuminated in 2018. Experts opened four rooms at street level and two on the first floor and two on the ground floor for study.
Inside, researchers uncovered a large quantity of furniture and everyday objects. The aim is to tell the life of Pompeii’s middle class as it stood at the moment of the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, an event that buried the Roman colony for almost two millennia [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii].
In a plain, earth-floored room that could have served as a cellar, a cabinet with five shelves and about two meters in height preserved everyday items such as vases, dishes, ceramics, small vessels, and amphorae. The cabinet remained where it stood at the moment of the eruption, its upper structure partly collapsed when pyroclastic material weight caused the roof to cave in.
Experts will continue to explore what lies on the lowest shelves, protected by the ash over centuries. In another small room lacking decorative wall features, a simple bed with its pillow, a three-legged table with a cup, and an open chest on top suggest it was emptied by its owner in the rush to flee the fire.
The description of another bed resembles the earlier find in the villa Civita Giuliana, a bed that is free from decoration, removable, and without a mattress, featuring only a rope net. A small ceramic plate and an oil lamp used for meals, bearing a bas-relief of Zeus transforming into an eagle, were found inside the chest.
On the first floor, another cupboard held plates and drinking glasses for domestic use, a bronze sink, and a sofa. The site suggests that items such as perfumes remained well preserved, hinting at a consumer culture that valued personal care and sensory experiences even amid turmoil [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii].
As Zuchtriegel noted, the Roman Empire housed a broad swath of society that fought for social advancement. They faced political crises and famines but pursued upward mobility even when placed under pressure. This layer of society likely shared a strong desire for prosperity, evident in both lavish furnishings and more austere arrangements across different rooms.
The researchers also commented that although certain rooms appear ornate with valuables, others reveal extreme simplicity, featuring wooden furniture that served daily needs. The mixture points to a diverse community within Casa del Larario, one that chased prestige yet endured ordinary, practical living conditions [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii].
The site director summed up the outlook: although the residents remain unknown, the overall ambiance of the patio and its entertainment space hints at a future their culture aspired to, rather than a fully realized present. The observation underscores how Pompeii not only preserves artifacts but also reflects the aspirations of its inhabitants [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii].
Culture Minister Dario Franceschini welcomed the development, praising Pompeii for its enduring capacity to amaze. He stressed that Italy can achieve outstanding results with collaborative effort and by investing in young researchers, research, and innovation that propel recovery and discovery [Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii].