Roman Tomb Unearthed; to Everyone’s Surprise, It’s Intact [4th c BC]

New York Times ^ | June 1, 2018 | Elisabetta Povoledo

[SunkenCiv]

Sometimes the most extraordinary finds occur by sheer luck. At least that was the case of a fourth century B.C. chamber tomb that came to light five weeks ago during the construction of an aqueduct in a Rome suburb, when an earthmover accidentally opened a hole in the side of the chamber... The tomb contained the remains of four occupants -- three men and a woman -- and funerary wares. Archaeologists are calling it "the Tomb of the Athlete" because of the presence of two bronze strigils, the instrument used by ancient Greek and Roman athletes to scrape sweat from the skin after a workout. Actually, the male skeletons in the tomb belonged to older men (all three were over 35 -- very old in those days). "To say there was an athlete is a bit of stretch, but it works journalistically," joked Fabio Turchetta, the on-site archaeologist who followed the aqueduct works... The tomb was dated to between 335 and 312 B.C. on the basis of a coin found next to a skeleton. One side depicts the head of Minerva, the flip side a horse head with the lettering: "Romano." Excavated into a bank of porous tuff, the volcanic rock typical of the area, the family tomb was distinctive "because it remained intact, and was never violated," said the archaeologist Stefano Musco, scientific director of the dig. The quality of the black-glazed pottery found next to the skeletons -- a variety of bowls and plates, some bearing mini-skeletons of animals (two, a rabbit and a lamb or a goat, have been identified) -- suggested that the owners of the tomb came from a privileged social class, Mr. Musco said.

[SunkenCiv]

Some of the funerary wares found in a chamber tomb near Rome. Credit Romano D'Agostino, Special Superintendence for Rome

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.google.com/search?q=intact+Roman+Tomb+site:freerepublic.com

[SunkenCiv]

[BlackVeil]

A fantastic find.

[Cronos]

wow just at the time of the struggles between plebeians and patricians

[mewzilla]

Another pic and a 4 minute vid at this link...

Roma, trovata al Tiburtino «tomba dell’Atleta» del IV secolo a. C. sotto scavi per costruire condutture idriche

Be interesting to see if that date holds up.

[Silentgypsy]

Wow, they really knew how to build ‘em back then.

[Larry Lucido]

with the lettering: "Romano."

They loved him too.

[rlmorel]

Fantastic!

[Larry Lucido]

"To say there was an athlete is a bit of stretch, but it works journalistically," joked Fabio Turchetta,

"Why do they call it athlete's tomb? My great great great great grand mummy's in one, and believe me, she's no athlete!"

[\/\/ayne]

I remember an ancient joke about an important Roman who never spoke publicly. So when he mounted a speaking pedestal in the public square everyone rushed to hear what he finally had to say.

"Do you see that tree over on my property at the edge of the square?" the man proclaimed. "Many people have hanged themselves from it over the years. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm cutting it down next week - in case anyone wants to use it."

[DariusBane]

all three were over 35 — very old in those days)

Bull hockey. 35 was never considered old.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[a fool in paradise]

"Of ALL the luck..."

[mewzilla]

You’re welcome! I dig your threads! (hee hee)

[a fool in paradise]

35 was never considered old.

#ORLY

[SunkenCiv]

The tomb of Gaius Cestius. Sadly it’s not open to the public, but it’s amazing that the marble cladding is still intact given the materials pilfering that befell much of ancient Rome [along the Appian Way. Credit: Two Year Trip]

[Lurker]

“suggested that the owners of the tomb came from a privileged social class, Mr. Musco said.”

Roman Privilege, the precursor to dreaded White Privilege.

L

[SunkenCiv]

Maybe not in bull hockey, but in the NFL, 35 is ancient.

[SunkenCiv]