About a year ago, builders laying a water pipeline in a field stumbled upon what has been dubbed the “Tomb of Cerberus.” The scientific community was taken aback by the intricate decor of this archaeological site, particularly a stunning fresco depicting Hercules and Hermes, with the three-headed dog Cerberus guarding the entrance to the underworld between them. This discovery gave rise to the tomb’s name.
Now, researchers have encountered an unexpected surprise, as reported by the Daily Mail. When the team opened the 2,000-year-old tomb, they found a well-preserved body wrapped in a fabric shroud, which was also intact, among the human remains from Ancient Rome.
What Scientists Have Revealed
According to experts from the Department of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape, the remains have been preserved thanks to a plant-based substance that was applied to the bodies before burial. The scientists explained that the deceased’s body was anointed with a cream made from miraculous herbs: white goosefoot and wormwood. A similar substance was previously discovered on the body of a 17th-century bishop found beneath a cathedral in Sweden.
Moreover, the “Tomb of Cerberus” has not been damaged by natural elements, nor has it ever been opened. This means it has never been looted. Consequently, a unique climate formed inside, which also contributed to the long-term preservation of the mummy and the shroud.
Near the mummy, archaeologists found expensive burial artifacts, as well as tools for body cleansing and ointments. According to the archaeologists, these findings indicate the high status of the deceased. It is likely that he was the founder of a family for whom the sarcophagus was built.
To access the burial chamber, archaeologists had to carefully remove the slab that covered the ceiling. They inserted a microcamera into a small opening, which allowed them to see the bodies hidden inside.
As part of a research project funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture, archaeologists are now cataloging artifacts from the “Tomb of Cerberus” and conducting DNA analysis on the mummified human remains.