Slave Room Discovered at Pompeii's Civita Giuliana Villa
A recent discovery at the Villa of Civita Giuliana, located 600 meters from Pompeii's city walls, has unveiled a room that showcases the living conditions of slaves in ancient times. Excavations began in 1907, with ongoing investigations since 2017 conducted by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the Torre Annunziata Prosecutor's Office. Artifacts found include two beds, cabinets, a bench, and ceramic vessels. Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel remarked that these items indicate a social hierarchy among the servants, with control maintained through organization. This finding, which employed the plaster cast technique, follows another significant discovery in late 2021 and complements the site’s earlier find of a ceremonial chariot. A new hall is set to open this autumn at the Antiquarium of Boscoreale.
Key facts
- Room A discovered at Villa of Civita Giuliana, 600 m outside Pompeii walls.
- Room contains two beds (one simple, one refined), two cabinets, a bench, amphorae, and ceramic vessels.
- Iron hoe found in one cabinet suggests storage function.
- No grates, locks, or shackles found; control likely via internal hierarchy.
- Discovery made using plaster cast technique.
- First room (C) revealed in late 2021; ceremonial chariot found in 2021.
- Investigations since 2017 by Archaeological Park of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata Prosecutor's Office.
- New hall at Antiquarium of Boscoreale opening autumn 2023 to present excavations.
Entities
Artists
- Gabriel Zuchtriegel
- Massimo Osanna
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Procura della Repubblica di Torre Annunziata
- Ministero della Cultura
- Grande Pompei
- Antiquarium di Boscoreale
- Artribune
Locations
- Pompei
- Civita Giuliana
- Torre Annunziata
- Boscoreale
- Vesuvio