Archaeologists Discover Intact Pompeii Cupboard Containing Ancient Coins and Childhood Charms
A newly excavated cupboard in Pompeii reveals personal artifacts preserved since the 79 AD eruption.
1Discovery in Pompeii
Archaeologists uncovered the imprint of a wooden cupboard in House IX 11, 7, located on Via dell’Abbondanza. The find occurred during a project to stabilize slopes near the House of the Chaste Lovers. Volcanic ash from the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius perfectly preserved the structure, which remained untouched for centuries.
2Contents of the Cupboard
The cupboard held a diverse collection of household items, including five jugs, cooking pots, a bronze lamp, and an incense burner. Researchers also found a glass ointment bottle, bronze tweezers, and a slate palette for makeup. These artifacts provide a rare, intimate look at the daily life and domestic habits of Pompeii residents.
3Currency and Trade
A small basket contained 38 bronze coins, likely a reserve for daily expenses. Among these, 36 were minted under Emperor Nero between 64 and 67 AD. The collection includes 26 asses, seven dupondii, and three sestertii. Two older coins, including one from Ibiza, suggest the circulation of currency in the Roman economy.
4Childhood Charms Found
A cloth bag held 24 tiny charms, known as crepundia, made from bone, glass paste, and rock crystal. These objects, representing gods like Bes and Mercury, were worn by children for protection. The bag was discovered on a shelf that tilted when a post fell, causing the items to slide and remain preserved.
5Evidence of Daily Life
The house featured yellow walls decorated with birds, panthers, and dolphins, attributed to the painters of Via di Castricio. Building or repair work was actively underway when the eruption occurred. The presence of these varied personal items suggests a household that was fully operational and occupied until the final moments of the disaster.
6Rodent Activity Recorded
In an adjacent bedroom, researchers found 117 tiny bones inside a broken North African olive oil amphora. Zooarchaeologist Younes Naime identified these as belonging to at least two young wood mice. These rodents likely inhabited the attic or food storage areas, reflecting the common presence of animals in ancient Roman urban dwellings.
7Identity Remains Unknown
Despite the discovery of the name Cornelius Maximus on door inscriptions, researchers consider this identification highly doubtful. The report emphasizes that current evidence cannot confirm who lived in the house or if they survived the eruption. DNA testing and further analysis are required to move beyond speculation regarding the inhabitants' specific identities.
8Significance of the Find
Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel noted that the find allows researchers to read the traces of a life, combining personal habits, work, and memories. The study, published in the E-Journal degli Scavi di Pompei, highlights the importance of ongoing excavation. Future work will focus on textile analysis and clearing the remaining room sections.