Domestic Cult Objects found in Pompeian Thermopolium

Domestic Cult objects have been uncovered as part of the ongoing excavations at Pompeii. Located in Regio V, Insula 3, the building was excavated between the end of 2023 and March 2024. Most notably, on the ground floor, this building housed a Thermopolium, which boasted well-preserved painted decorations depicting various animals.

In Room 2.2, a room on the upper level of the building, a series of objects related to domestic cult were found. These were placed on a shelf above some amphorae that collapsed during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. These included two votive ceramic terracotta figurines, a marble object (minimal information is available on what this entails), and a bone pin depicting a female figure. As pictured in the E-Journal (below), one of the figurines depicts a couple reclining on a bed, while the hairpin appears to depict Venus combing her hair.

One of the votive terracotta figurines found in room 2.2. Source: E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 06/11/25

Bone pin depicting a female figure, perhaps Venus. Source: E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 06/11/25

Close by, a marble base was found, believed to have once belonged to a statuette. A glass pinecone was located nearby, a reference to the offerings often made to the serpent deities worshipped in Roman households. Finally, a faience situla (a small bucket-like object) depicting human and animal figures was found.

Glass pine cone (left) and marble statuette base (right). Source: E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 06/11/25

The Faience Situla. Source: E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 06/11/25

This is certainly an interesting find, as it is now one of the very few cult spaces found at Pompeii, located on the upper floors of a building (only 4 others are known). This find is therefore quite significant, as it shows that Pompeian cult spaces were located on other levels, and that the archaeological excavation methods of the past likely destroyed evidence of similar cult spaces. In addition, this finding furthers the idea that cult spaces could be simple in form, with the only architectural feature being a shelf for objects to be placed on.

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Source:

E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 06/11/25 as published on Academia. Link: https://www.academia.edu/145342471/Manutenzione_straordinaria_e_indagini_archeologiche_nell_area_del_Thermopolium_Regio_V_Insula_3_ambienti_2_e_1?source=swp_share