What is one of the basic symbols of Christmas? There are several, but one of the most specific is without a doubt the one crèche. The most curious thing is that just before Christmas an incredible discovery was made, namely that Nativity scenes were also made in ancient Pompeii.
The discovery took place in Pompeii
From a label located in the room of the Domus bordering the house of Leda and the Swan in Pompeii, where excavation and restoration are now underway, 13 interesting figures. As you can read about Pompeian excavations electronic journals, are about 15 centimeters high and there are recognizable human figures, as well as a walnut, an almond, a clay rooster’s head, and a glass cone.
They were still in an upright position, on a horizontal surface inside the room where there was probably a shelf. But it did not end there, as in the environment that preserved them, which is believed to have been the atrium of the house, some decorations were still present, which for now only emerged in the upper part of the walls, including four female faces of refined elegance and beauty.
Are they nativity figures?
The answer to that question is no, they are not. Or rather, they are small statues very similar to those that have represented the birth of Jesus for 800 years, but they don’t seem to be the same thing.
Early studies have shown that some of the objects representing these figurines seem to refer to the myth of Cybele and are associated with the life cycle of the seasons and the fertility of the earth, thus with the vernal equinox.
So it can’t be said for sure that the Romans made nativity scenes as we built them, but it seems clear that this collection of terracotta figurines found in Pompeii is very similar to ours as part of a ritual display. Even in ancient Pompeii, therefore, a kind of nativity scene was built, which represented an ancient ceremony of respect for the gods. It is believed that the scenes were created with terracotta figures, as we have been doing for 8 centuries with Nativity paintings.
Insider statements
In OnElectronic Journal of Pompeii Excavations, we can read that: “We are in front of a context of great interest, which shows moments of mythological story, but which also returns ex-votos, which refer to the invocation of precise ritual actions.”
A very strange and interesting discovery, the one that just happened in Pompeii and which is part of an excavation project that affected the already known rooms of the Leda family and the rooms of two better-identified houses that are developing or on the north and south of the first.
The work will certainly not end here, as the same excavation project will complete the removal of the soil present so far, to reach as yet unexplored floor levels.
Furthermore, the proposal of a new and experimental roof system is associated with the installation of toughened and laminated safety glass, which can guarantee better protection of decorated surfaces, also to allow everyone to visit the house.
