Turtle with egg discovered in Pompeii shop
A tortoise with an egg inside its carapace has been unearthed in a shop along Via dell'Abbondanza in Pompeii. The animal likely perished during the violent earthquake of 62 AD, before the catastrophic eruption of 79 AD, while preparing to lay its egg. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, presented the find in a video. The discovery suggests that after the earthquake, parts of the city lay abandoned, allowing wildlife to thrive. The tortoise and its egg will join the recently restored Horse of Maiuri.
Key facts
- Tortoise with egg found in a shop on Via dell'Abbondanza in Pompeii.
- The animal likely died during the earthquake of 62 AD.
- The discovery was presented by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
- The find indicates parts of Pompeii were abandoned after the earthquake, allowing wildlife.
- The tortoise and egg will be displayed alongside the restored Horse of Maiuri.
- The site continues to yield archaeological surprises.
- The egg was still inside the carapace.
- The tortoise was found in a bottega (workshop/shop).
Entities
Institutions
- Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Artribune
Locations
- Pompei
- Italy
- Via dell'Abbondanza