Bedroom Used by Slaves Unearthed at Pompeii

In a notable revelation, archaeologists have unearthed a modest sleeping chamber within a Roman estate close to Pompeii. This recent discovery sheds significant light on the marginalized position held by slaves during ancient times. Italy’s Ministry of Culture released this intriguing information on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

This particular room was brought to light at the Civita Giuliana villa, situated approximately 600 meters (around 2,000 feet) to the north of Pompeii’s walls. Pompeii, a once-thriving city, met its demise nearly two millennia ago due to a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius.

Slave quarters unveiled near Pompeii

Astonishing images of Roman slave quarters in Pompeii frozen in time for almost 2,000 years by volcanic eruption. Archaeologists at Pompeii's archaeological park have uncovered a bedroom that housed slaves. 😬"How people can enslave others to do their bidding is beyond me!" pic.twitter.com/n5vGZYqqpm

— Sumner (@renmusb1) November 7, 2021

Within the confines of the recently discovered room near Pompeii, an intriguing arrangement awaited. Two beds were present, though only one was furnished with a mattress.

Additionally, two compact cabinets adorned the space, accompanied by an array of urns and ceramic vessels. Notably, during the examination, the remains of two mice and a rat were uncovered within these containers.

The Ministry of Culture expressed its viewpoint in a statement, emphasizing that these intricate details once again emphasize the challenging circumstances endured by those on the lower rungs of society during that era.

Hygiene and stability were, evidently, scarce commodities for individuals of lesser means.

Absence of restraints in slave quarters

Notably, upon careful examination, no indications of grates, locks, or chains were found within the confines of the room.

This intriguing absence suggests that the management of the room’s occupants was chiefly orchestrated through the internal arrangement of servitude, rather than relying on physical barriers and restraints.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, who holds the position of Director at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, succinctly conveyed this viewpoint, “It seems that control was primarily exerted through the internal organization of servitude, rather than physical barriers and restraints.”

Discoveries at Civita Giuliana Villa

The Civita Giuliana villa, situated near Pompeii, has been the subject of archaeological exploration on two separate occasions.

The first round of excavations took place from 1907 to 1908. Then, in 2017, renewed interest was sparked due to an unfortunate realization that the site was falling victim to looters engaging in illegal digging activities.

Archaeologists uncovered a disconcerting aspect during their examination. A portion of one of the beds had been compromised, owing to a tunnel created by robbers to gain unauthorized access to another section of the villa.

The significance of Mount Vesuvius’ cataclysmic eruption in AD 79 is a historical fact that stands stark. Thousands of Roman lives were abruptly claimed by this event, unbeknownst to them that they inhabited a region beneath the shadow of one of Europe’s most monumental volcanoes.

The aftermath of the eruption enshrouded the city in a dense blanket of ash, serving as an inadvertent preserver of countless individuals and structures from that era.

Reviving a neglected legacy

Recent times have witnessed a surge of renewed vigor in archaeological endeavors at the site, driven by the urgent need to counteract years of deterioration and neglect. This revival owes much to a substantial injection of funding, amounting to €105 million ($114 million), provided by the European Union.

Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano expressed, “What we are learning about the material conditions and social organization of that era opens up new horizons for historical and archaeological studies.”