Archaeologists have uncovered a lavish private bath in the city of Pompeii, buried nearly 2,000 years ago under layers of volcanic rock and ash. Researchers studying the ancient Roman site in the Campania region of Italy stated that discoveries like this happen once a century.
According to scientists, this may be the largest private bath ever found. It features hot, warm, and cold rooms, a massive swimming pool, and exquisite works of art. The bath, resembling a spa complex, is located at the center of a large residence that archaeologists uncovered during extensive two-year excavations.
“These kinds of spaces create what we call the ‘Pompeii effect’ – the impression that people just stepped out a moment ago,” said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, in an interview with BBC about the new find.
What Did the Archaeologists Report?
One-third of the ancient city remains hidden beneath layers of volcanic rock. However, archaeologists are gradually uncovering Pompeii. Recent excavations, the largest in decades, have shed new light on the lives of ancient Romans.
Researchers have unearthed an entire city block, which includes a laundry, a bakery, and a large private house. Scholars suggest that all of this may have belonged to a wealthy individual, possibly Aulus Rustius Verus, a prominent politician in Pompeii. The discovery of a respectable bath further confirms his high status.
“Only a few houses have their own bath complexes, which could belong to the richest of the rich,” noted Dr. Zuchtriegel.
Those fortunate enough to use the complex would leave their clothes in a changing room with bright red walls and a mosaic floor featuring geometric patterns. The marble used for the floor inlays was sourced from various corners of the Roman Empire. After that, bath visitors would head to the steam room, where they would immerse themselves in a bath and enjoy the heat. Hot air circulated beneath the suspended floor and behind walls with cavities.
Next, guests would move to a brightly painted warm room. There, oil would be rubbed into their skin, which was then scraped off with a curved tool called a strigil. Finally, they would enter the frigidarium – the cold room. Surrounded by red columns and frescoes depicting athletes, visitors could cool off in a pool spacious enough to accommodate 20 to 30 people at once.
Behind the hot room was a boiler room. A pipe brought water in from the street. Part of the water flowed to the cold pool, while the rest, destined for the hot room, was heated in a lead cauldron. The water flow control devices look so modern that they seem operable even today.
Since the boiler room had a furnace, the slaves managing the entire system had to work in unbearably hot conditions.
“The most striking impression from these excavations is the stark contrast between the lives of slaves and the very wealthy. And the wall is what separated these two different worlds,” noted archaeologist Sophie Hay.
The bath is the latest discovery made in the luxurious house during these excavations. Last year, a massive banquet room with black walls and frescoes depicting classical themes was found here. Archaeologists also uncovered a smaller, more intimate room painted in pale blue, where the house’s residents prayed to the gods.
When the eruption of Vesuvius occurred, renovations were underway in the residence: tools and building materials were scattered everywhere. On the floor of the blue room lay a pile of mother-of-pearl oyster shells, ready to be crushed and glued to the walls, giving the room a shimmering effect.
Shocking Discovery in a Wealthy Residence
In a cramped, undecorated room, archaeologists stumbled upon the remains of two townspeople who were unable to escape. Analysis of the skeletons serves as a haunting reminder of the horror experienced by the city’s residents during the eruption of Vesuvius. The remains belonged to a woman aged 35-50, who clutched jewelry and coins in her hands, and a young man, possibly just over 20, who had keys on him.
The woman’s skeleton, curled up in a fetal position, was found on a bed. The man’s remains were left in the corner of the room.
The couple likely attempted to barricade themselves but perished when a tsunami of superheated volcanic gas and ash, known as a pyroclastic flow, engulfed the city. “This is a dramatic site, and everything you find here speaks to that drama,” said restorer Ludovica Alesse.
“The pyroclastic flow from Vesuvius swept down the street and destroyed the wall of this room, effectively crushing them. The woman was still alive when he died, and then the pyroclastic flow filled this room, and she perished,” explained Sophie Hay.
Analysis of the man’s skeleton showed that despite his young age, his bones exhibited signs of wear. This led scientists to suggest that he may have had a lower status, possibly even being a slave. In contrast, the bones and teeth of the middle-aged woman were in good condition. “She likely had a high status. She could have been the wife of the house owner or perhaps an assistant to his wife,” added the researcher.
On a marble countertop in the small room, scientists discovered glassware, bronze jugs, and ceramics. The couple may have brought these items here, hoping to ride out the eruption.