Archaeologists working at Pompeii have partially reconstructed the frescoed vaulted ceiling of a banquet hall, revealing detailed imagery from Greek mythology. The curved ceiling, believed to originate from a banquet room on the upper floor of a house adjacent to a bakery, was unveiled Thursday following an international workshop focused on recent discoveries and restoration efforts at the site.

Pompeii, a Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most frequented tourist destinations. The archaeological park managing the site announced the reconstruction on Friday, highlighting the use of an innovative method to restore the ceiling’s original curvature. Experts constructed a curved support framework designed to hold the fresco fragments, replicating the shape of the original vault.

As additional fresco fragments are uncovered and restored over time, they can be integrated into the display, allowing the scene to be gradually completed. The frescoes primarily depict the mythological figures Dionysus and Ariadne, whose story is among the most renowned in Greek mythology, emphasizing the cultural influences present in Pompeii’s artwork.

The reconstruction represents a significant advancement in preserving and showcasing Pompeii’s artistic heritage, providing new insights into the decorative schemes employed in Roman domestic architecture.