Priestess Ceres or an aristocrat? New statues from Pompeii under the magnifying glass of researchers

The sculptures were found in the monumental tomb in the necropolis Porta Sarno – one of the main gates leading to an ancient city, which in 79 was buried by the ashes of Vesuvius.

Sculptures from Porta Sarno. An important discovery shows the role of women in Pompeii

The sculptures, made with great attention to detail, decorated a tomb equipped with several grave niches. What attracts the special attention of researchers is the figure of a woman presented with extraordinary dignity and wealth of symbolism. Dressed in a tunic covered with a spacious coat, with a veil on her head, he holds the leaves of laurel in her hands – plants of religious meaning, used in cleansing rituals and blessings.

Particularly significant are the details of carved jewelry with the figure – earrings, rings, bracelets, and especially suspended on the lunulu necklace, i.e. a characteristic pens in the shape of a crescent. All this leads experts to assume that a woman could act as a priestess Ceres – the goddess of agriculture, fertility and motherhood.

“Because she really looks like a very important woman in the local elite, there is also an idea that she could be a priestess Ceres, holding these plants and something that seems to be a papyrus scale,” said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park in Pompeii.

In the world of ancient Rome, where most women were limited to domestic roles, the priesthood was the highest available public function, giving influence and prestige comparable to male religious positions.

Who was the companion of the sculpture?

Next to the woman there is a figure of a man in a classic weed by the left arm. Although it would seem that they are spouses, experts are not sure. Lack of any inscription leaves many question marks.

A surprisingly well -preserved fragment of the tree root system that once grew on a tomb, only a few centimeters were discovered under the surface of the earth, at the foot of the male figure. “It was quite a surprise to find it there a few centimetres Beneath the Ground” – adds Zuchtriegel.

Funeral art as a social position certificate

In the art of Roman representations of the characters at the tombs they had not only a decorative but also symbolic function. The dead were often shown in stages from everyday life, emphasizing their virtues, achievements or belonging to the elite.

In the case of the sculptures in question, there are many indications that a woman could be an outstanding person, who has a significant position in the religious and social life of Pompeii. The suggested identification with the priestess Ceres additionally indicates strong relationships with the agrarian cult, which in Pompeii enjoyed special respect.

It is worth noting that nearby, in the same necropolis Porta Sarno, in 2021, partially mummified remains of a former slave were found, who, thanks to social promotion, gained a lavish burial. This shows how much pumps were a place of complex and dynamic social structures.

Exhibition of sculptures in Pompeii

Both sculptures are currently undergoing maintenance and will soon be presented to the public. Their exhibition in Pompeii will start on April 16 and will certainly attract the attention of both researchers and lovers of ancient history.

This discovery, which is part of the project conducted jointly by the Pompeiian Archaeological Park and the European University in Valencia, not only enriches our understanding of the funeral traditions of the Romans, but also allows you to see the female face of spiritual power from almost two thousand years ago.