Archaeologists released a statement in late July admitting there's considerable confusion about the identity of a 2,200-year-old skeleton unearthed at the Cerberus Tomb in Giuliano, Italy.
The tomb was discovered near an ancient Roman cemetery and has fascinated archaeologists with its exquisitely decorated wall paintings. according to Reported by Live Science: After detailed investigation, the team opened a passage into the tomb, leading to a sarcophagus that had been sealed for at least 2,000 years. according to Statement from the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Inside the sarcophagus, the team found a “very well preserved” body surrounded by objects: the body had been buried face up, and the cloth covering it had been covered in had been mineralised due to “the particular climatic conditions of the burial chamber”.
The “Tomb of Cerberus” in Italy has been opened, revealing a stunning “Egyptian-style” mummy.
Archaeologists investigating the “Tomb of Cerberus” in Giuliano, Naples, have opened a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus. Inside, researchers found a remarkably well-preserved body wrapped in cloth… pic.twitter.com/rgJDA9iSiW
— Ancient Hypothesis (@AncientEpoch) July 29, 2024
“The Tomb of Cerberus continues to provide valuable information about the Phlegrei territory near Liternum, expanding our knowledge of the past and offering opportunities for multidisciplinary research,” director Mariano Nuzzo said in a statement. (Related article: Archaeologists reveal surprising discovery of 7,000-year-old Neolithic boat)
The team plans to gradually release more information as it becomes available, particularly about the composition of the shroud and its thread. They also hope to determine where the shroud was manufactured.
But the big question is: who was this person?
Latest surprises revealed during investigation inside the Tomb of Cerberus in Giulianohttps://t.co/yEKzbPG3rR pic.twitter.com/vbsGCauUox
—ArkeoNews (@ArkeoNews) July 27, 2024
Scholars and researchers from various fields, including archaeology, chemistry, paleobotany and anthropology, are investigating the tomb to try to answer all the questions that arise from its discovery. (Related article: Residents of a once-lost Roman territory likely watched thousands die in an ancient catastrophe, researchers say)
For now, researchers are waiting for the results of DNA tests to shed light on the individual's ancestry and possible genetic disorders. Herbs and other plants found around the body suggest that he had been treated with a cream containing absinthe. The prevailing theory so far is that the individual is “an ancestor of the clan that built the mausoleum.”
We will let you know as soon as we have more details!
