The Walls Kept Tumbling DownIn the year 79, in the Campagnia region of modern Italy, Mount Vesuvius positively blew its stack, releasing molten rock, ash, and 100,00 times the thermal energy of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki blasts at the rate of 1.5 million tons per second.
Updated March 1, 2021 27.7k votes 6.9k voters 490.2k views
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Vote up the strangest artifacts that have been uncovered from the ruins of Pompeii.
The preserved corpses of victims are the most well-known remnants from Pompeii; however, weird Pompeii artifacts are not limited to the human victim variety. Things found at Pompeii are a haunting reminder of the vibrant city that once existed. Strange Pompeii artifacts that still capture our imagination today include prized possessions, good luck charms, urns, and more.
Archeologists digging through the weird Pompeii ruins were given a fascinating task. What did they find in Pompeii? Workers found evidence of a vibrant, lively city that was turned to ash on an otherwise normal day. Odd, everyday things found in Pompeii are a reminder random tragedies can strike at any time.
Excavations of the downtown region of Pompeii, where many citizens enjoyed meals in restaurants, revealed some unexpected cuisine. Food widely available in the region, like fish, olives, chicken, and eggs, was discovered. However, more exotic food choices were also present. Archeologists found the leg joint of a giraffe amongst the ruins.
This was the only giraffe bone ever to be found in Roman Italy. Researchers assume the giraffe meat was the result of long distance trading. In addition to a giraffe bone, they found evidence of other exotic food options that may have been popular in Pompeii: archeologists also dug up remnants of non-native shellfish and sea urchins.
When a bakery was excavated in Pompeii, 81 loaves of carbonized bread were found. It is eerie to see food preserved for almost 2,000 years, as it’s a reminder that Mount Vesuvius erupted on an otherwise uneventful day. Bread was simply sitting in the bakery, waiting to be purchased and eaten, when disaster struck.
Sexual relationships between masters and slaves were common in Ancient Rome. Evidence of this was uncovered in Pompeii. Researchers discovered a gold band inscribed with the words “Dominus ancillae suae,” meaning “From the master to the slave.” This was likely a gift given from a master to show appreciation for an intimate slave/master relationship.
Superintendent Massimo Ossana shared the discovery of about 150 snack bars, or thermopolia, in Regio V - a 54 acre dig site. These snack bars were reportedly used by impoverished families who could not afford to cook at home. They reportedly served "coarse bread with salty fish, baked cheese, lentils, and spicy wine," according to The Guardian.
Guard dogs have been popular since dogs were first domesticated. Archeologists found mosaics with pictures of guard dogs near the homes of many Pompeii citizens. The words “Cave Canem” were written on the signs, which roughly translates to “Beware of Dog.”
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Statue Of Apollo That Belonged To Nero's Nephew
One eerie thing about objects from Pompeii is that, despite being over 3,000 years old, many look like modern creations. The home of Quintus Poppeus, a wealthy nephew of Roman Emperor Nero, was found stocked with many objects. The most notable was an extremely well-preserved statue of the god Apollo stroking a griffin. Those who have seen the statue on display claim it looks brand new.
