Ancient Jewelry Found Beneath Volcanic Ash in Pompeii

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient cabinet containing bronze coins, jewelry and cosmetic items in the historic city of Pompeii, Italy. The find, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, offers a closer look at everyday life in the ancient world.

Inside the cabinet, found in an ancient building known as the “House of Cornelius Maximus,” researchers discovered tweezers, a cosmetic container, small bottles of scented liquids and a bronze lamp. One of the most notable finds was a necklace made up of 24 pendants crafted from faience, bone and rock crystal and decorated with images of various deities and natural symbols.

Scientists believe these ornaments may have been part of what the ancient Romans called “crepundia,” objects used as protective amulets for children. A basket woven from plant fibers containing 38 bronze coins was also found. Researchers say the discovery suggests that the owners of the house did not have time to retrieve their clothes or belongings when the volcano erupted.