THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP638
V. vi. Unnamed House
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Niche, Shelf, Stucco Relief, Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Atrium
Description:
Located against the west wall of the atrium (room 42) was a cult space. This was comprised of a shallow niche. The niche was painted yellow, with its back wall almost appearing to represent a cabinet door. The opening of the niche was outlined with a dark red stripe, with the yellow panel above matching the interior of the niche, possessing a depiction of a garland with taeniae and a gorgon head hanging from its centre. Above this was a moulded cornice, again outlined in red, with a further thick red border above. Inside the niche, 13 terracotta statuettes were found situated on some form of shelf. These figurines, approximately 15-20cm in height, were painted in polychrome with many of the original details of clothing and facial features still preserved. Initial analysis by the Pompeii Archaeological Park suggests that some of the deities depicted relate to the myth of Cybele and Attis. Other figures include a crouching male, a seated female (perhaps Venus?), a figure of a mother holding a child, and an unidentified togate male holding a box/bucket with an outstretched left arm. In addition to these figures, an almond, a walnut, the head of a clay rooster, and a glass pinecone were also found in the niche. No images of the shrine fully excavated are available and so there is limited information available regarding the rest of the structure and its decoration. In addition, the property is not fully excavated and so the wider context of the shrine is uncertain.
References:
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei (09), 2023; Pompeii Sites Press Release, "13 TERRACOTTA FIGURINES EMERGE FROM THE PUMICE DURING THE EXCAVATION OF A DOMUS NORTH OF THE HOUSE OF LEDA AND THE SWAN" December 22 2023.
Image reference:
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei (09), 2023