A 2,000-Year-Old Sarcophagus Was Just Unsealed—and the Mummy Inside Is Mind-Blowing
In a groundbreaking discovery, experts working in the Tomb of Cerberus in Giugliano, an area in Naples, have unsealed a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus. Inside, they found the remains of a shockingly well-preserved body lying face-up and covered in a shroud. This remarkable find is expected to yield new social, cultural, and scientific insights into ancient life.
The journey to this astonishing discovery began with a micro camera probe into the ancient sarcophagus. Encouraged by what they saw, archaeologists decided to step inside this sealed tomb for the first time in millennia. The moment they opened the passage, they were met with a sight that left them in awe.
Led by Simona Formola, the team of archaeologists discovered a person in an "excellent state of preservation," according to a translated statement from the Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Naples Metropolitan Area. The individual was covered by a shroud and surrounded by a variety of goods, including several ointment jars and body-cleaning tools often used in the burial process.
The team believes the particular care given to the deceased, coupled with the objects found near the body, suggest the person in the sarcophagus was a family member for whom the mausoleum was originally built. "The Tomb of Cerberus continues to provide valuable information on the Phlegraean territory near Liternum," said Marian Nuzzo, a superintendent with the Italian Ministry of Culture. "Expanding knowledge of the past, and offering opportunities for research of a multidisciplinary nature."
The team now has a new treasure trove of information to mine. "In recent months," Nuzzo said, "laboratory analyses conducted on samples taken from the burials and depositional beds have returned a considerable amount of data regarding the treatment of the body of the deceased and the funerary rituals implanted, considerably enriching the panorama of our knowledge."
The shroud was likely mineralized due to the unique climatic conditions inside the burial chamber. Fabric analysis is ongoing, but the archaeologists hope to determine the structure, type, and quality of the yarn used within the tomb. This information could help glean additional social and cultural details.
As DNA analysis of the remains is ongoing, the team also continues to analyze the organic substances, including pollen, found within the sarcophagus. They've already learned that the body was likely treated with creams based on Chenopodium—also known as goosefoot—and absinthe, meant to improve preservation.
The ministry hopes that continued sampling and analyzing of all the aspects found within the sarcophagus will yield additional details about the surrounding necropolis. This could help paint a broader picture of the social and cultural makeup of Naples 2,000 years ago.
This discovery is not only a testament to the meticulous care of ancient burial practices but also a window into the lives of those who lived centuries ago. As the team delves deeper into their analysis, the world eagerly awaits the new insights that this remarkable find will undoubtedly provide.