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Rare Roman bathhouse unearthed in Pompeii
Archaeologists in Italy have uncovered a sprawling private bathhouse in Pompeii, believed to be the largest of its kind in the ancient city. The 2,000-year-old complex, hidden beneath volcanic debris, offers new insights into Roman luxury and social inequality.
Discovery details
The bathhouse, part of a grand residence excavated over the past two years, features hot, warm, and cold rooms, intricate artwork, and a plunge pool large enough for 20-30 people. Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, called it a "once-in-a-century" find.
"These spaces capture the 'Pompeii effect'-it feels as if the residents just stepped away," Zuchtriegel told BBC News. The complex includes a changing room with red walls and marble mosaics, a sauna-like hot room with underfloor heating, and a frigidarium (cold room) adorned with frescoes of athletes.
Tragic fate of residents
Two skeletons found in the residence reveal the horror of Mount Vesuvius' AD 79 eruption. A woman aged 35-50, clutching jewelry and coins, and a younger man (teens or early 20s) died in a small room after a pyroclastic flow collapsed a wall. Analysis suggests the man was likely a slave, while the woman may have been a high-status resident.
"The pyroclastic flow filled the room, killing them both. The trauma must have been unimaginable," said Dr. Sophie Hay, a Pompeii archaeologist.
Contrasts of Roman society
The bathhouse underscores the stark divide between Pompeii's elite and enslaved workers. While wealthy Romans relaxed in the opulent suite, slaves toiled in a sweltering boiler room, feeding furnaces to heat water and air.
"A single wall separated two worlds: luxury and labor," Hay noted. The complex's lead pipes and valves remain so well-preserved they appear functional.
Broader excavation findings
The dig, the largest in a generation, has uncovered an entire city block, including a bakery, laundry, and a banqueting hall with black walls. The residence, possibly owned by politician Aulus Rustius Verus, was mid-renovation when Vesuvius erupted. Tools, oyster shells (used for iridescent wall paint), and building materials were found scattered throughout.
Public access and future plans
The excavation concludes in the coming weeks, with limited visitor access during the final stages. The site will eventually open fully to the public.
"Every day brings surprises. One morning, we might find something exceptional," said excavation director Dr. Anna Onesti.
A BBC documentary, Pompeii: The New Dig - House of Treasures, airs on BBC Two on January 20 at 21:00 and will be available on iPlayer.
