MILAN: Archeologists in Pompeii excavating a villa amid the ruins of the 79 AD volcanic eruption that destroyed the ancient city have discovered a room offers a very rare insight into the daily life of slaves, officials said on Saturday.

Italy’s culture minister, Dario Franceschini, said the find was an important discovery that enriches the knowledge of the daily life of ancient Pompeiians, in particular the level of society still little known.

The room served as both a dormitory and a storage area, officials from the Archeological Park of Pompeii said. It was discovered in a villa in the Pompeii suburb of Civita Giuliana, just a few steps from where archeologists in January discovered the remains of a well-preserved ceremonial chariot.

The room, with just one high window and no wall decorations, contains the remains of three beds made out of wood. The beds were adjustable, with two measuring 1.7 metres (nearly 5 feet, 7 inches) and one just 1.4 (4 feet, 7 inches) metres, possibly indicating that a family with a child had lived there.

"Nearby, a wooden chest contained metallic objects and textiles that appear to be part of harnesses for horses,” according to the archeological park. There also was a wooden steering element for a chariot.

Chamber pots and other personal objects were under the beds, while eight amphorae — a type of container — were in a corner, suggesting storage for the household.

The villa, with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city, is considered one of the most significant recent finds at Pompeii. It was discovered after police came across illegal tunnels dug by alleged looters in 2017.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2021