Fragments of personal belongings have been uncovered inside a wooden wardrobe sealed for nearly two millennia in the ancient city of Pompeii, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into daily life before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The wardrobe was discovered in a room of a residence located on Via dell’Abbondanza, once one of the busiest streets in the city.
Archaeologists found a variety of items, including tweezers, a small glass perfume bottle, an incense burner, a bronze lantern, and a collection of 38 bronze coins. Among the most notable objects was a child’s necklace known as a crepundia, adorned with over 20 charms made from different materials. These charms feature several deities, such as the gods Bes and Mercury. Traditionally worn by children, crepundia served a protective function and produced a rattling sound to help parents locate their offspring. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii’s archaeological park, explained that these necklaces were common in a society characterized by mobility across the Mediterranean and often signified a connection to parents who were far away.
The presence of coins and various personal and household items left behind has led experts to suggest that the occupants likely fled the eruption without the time to gather their belongings. The wardrobe also contained a wooden box with lead weights, indicating that the household might have included a tradesperson. Additionally, the fragmented remains of two mice were found inside an amphora within the same dwelling.
The house, which was first excavated in 1912, had previously been linked to an individual named Cornelius Maximus based on now-faded inscriptions. Recent investigations into the home are part of a broader restoration project at the Pompeii archaeological site.
Excavations continue at nearby locations, including the Villa of the Mysteries, a suburban villa renowned for its well-preserved frescoes. While the main living quarters of the villa’s owners remain largely unexcavated, archaeologists are focusing on the servants’ quarters in hopes of shedding light on the daily lives of those who lived and worked in the shadows of the villa’s grandeur. Zuchtriegel noted that the majority of the villa’s inhabitants were servants, and understanding their experiences could provide new perspectives on the social dynamics of the period.
Recent discoveries at Pompeii have further enriched understanding of the city’s complex history. In 2023, archaeologists uncovered a bakery thought to have been operated by enslaved individuals confined in a cramped space, located in the Regio IX district. Another recent find revealed a sophisticated thermal bath complex in a home on Via di Nola, believed to have been constructed to entertain wealthy guests.
These ongoing excavations continue to offer valuable insights into the lives, occupations, and social structures of Pompeii’s inhabitants before the devastating eruption buried the city.