Pompeii found the tomb of the priestess of the goddess Cerera – photo

Pompeii found the tomb of the priest of the goddess Cerera

Alfio Giannotti/Heritage

In Pompeii in an elite necropolis, the tomb of the priestess was found, which probably served as the goddess of fertility Cerery. This is the first evidence of the existence of her cult in the city.

Such conclusions have reached scientists in the study, Posted In Heritage Scientific Journal, writes Iflscience.

Porta’s funeral complex served as a place of resting Pompey residents who belonged to the highest class.

In the found tomb, archaeologists have found a luxurious sculptural composition with the image of the bride and groom in full size – relief.

Of particular interest was the female statue. According to the researchers, it corresponds to the image of a « restrained, humble and honest » person.

The woman holds a bite branch in her hands, which priests and priestesses were used for cleansing and consecration, scattering the smoke of incense or other aromatic herbs burned during the ceremonies.

In addition, the woman is depicted in a crescent -shaped amulets necklace known as she was heard. Usually they were worn by young unmarried girls, and on the wedding day did not wear.

Statues from the tomb of a priest

Alfio Giannotti/Heritage

Therefore, the statues can indicate a special connection between the buried woman and the goddess Cerera, which was closely linked to the phases of the moon because of their connection with agriculture and crop.

The authors of the study suggest that they were buried with a priestess of cirri. However, due to the lack of any inscriptions, it is impossible to finally confirm her person.

« A woman’s sculpture is one of the rare examples of a priestess with objects that are characteristic of her religious situation, and the only known in Pompei today.

The priestess is the highest social rank that a woman could then seek. She played an important role in the public sphere and had a powerful position that was far from other women and very similar to the priest’s position, ” – scientists said.

This discovery complements the understanding of the social, religious and political reality of Pompey immediately before their death in the 79th AD. It indicates that in the ancient city there was a cult of Cerara, and women from the upper class could serve as a priestess.

Recall archaeologists Find outas the Pompeys escaped from the eruption of Vesuvius.