2,000-Year-Old Tomb of Cerberus Sarcophagus Opened

Ongoing investigations into the contents of the Tomb of Cerberus, discovered in October 2023 in Giugliano, Naples, led to the decision to open one of the two sarcophagi found there. The stone box had lain sealed and entombed for over 2,000 years. First a non-invasive investigation was made using a micro-camera directed into a small opening in the sarcophagus. It revealed a well-preserved burial featuring a supine body covered by a shroud, likely mineralized due to the unique climatic conditions of the burial chamber.

Surrounding the body were various grave goods, including several unguentaria (small bottles used for storing oils and perfumes) and strigils (tools used for scraping the skin in bathing rituals).

Having found such a wealth of important archaeological evidence, the decision was taken to remove the stone lid, so further testing of the contents could be carried out.

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The contents of the sarcophagus retrieved from the Tomb of Cerberus, Naples, includes grave goods that accompanied the deceased as they were laid to rest. (Italian Ministry of Culture)

An Important Ancestor: A Mausoleum of Love

The meticulous care given to the burial and the dating of the artifacts suggest that the individual might be an ancestor of the family for whom the mausoleum was constructed.

“The Tomb of Cerberus continues to provide valuable information about the Phlegraean area near Liternum, expanding knowledge of the past and offering opportunities for multidisciplinary research,” declared Superintendent Mariano Nuzzo in a translated statement by the Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Naples Metropolitan Area.

Named after the fresco of Cerberus, a mythical three-headed dog guarding the underworld, the tomb's discovery has opened a window into ancient burial practices. The find is complemented by the resumption of excavations in the significant necropolis nearby, as well as the restoration of the frescoes.

The excavation has been funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture, under the aegis of archaeologist Dr. Simona Formola.

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Fresco of Cerberus in the tomb discovered near Naples. (Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per l’Area Metropolitana di Napoli)

Scientific and Medical Analysis

The team has employed complex procedures for further analysis. Prof. Margarita Gleba from the University of Padua’s laboratory is conducting textile analyses on the shroud to determine the weaving structure, type, and quality of the textile, aiming to glean cultural and sociological information.

Microscopic observations on organic substances found in some containers are being made by Prof. Maria Rosaria Barone Lumaga, a researcher from the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Naples Federico II – Real Orto Botanico of Naples.

Pollen analyses carried out by archaeobotanist Monica Stanzione, in collaboration with Dr. Marco Marchesini and Dr. Silvia Marvelli from CAA (Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli”), indicate that the bodies might have been treated with creams made from chenopodium (a.k.a. goosefoot) and wormwood (with absinthe) to enhance preservation.

DNA analyses of the individuals are ongoing, thanks to bioanthropologist Barbara Albanese, in collaboration with Dr. Pontus Skoglund, Dr. Thomas Booth, and Dr. Sarah Johnston from the Skoglund Ancient Genomics Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, reports LBV Magazine.

“In recent months, laboratory analyses conducted on samples taken from the burials and depositional beds have yielded a significant amount of data on the treatment of the bodies and the funerary rituals performed, significantly enriching our understanding,” say the archaeologists in the statement.

In fact, sarcophagi from this time were typically made of stone, such as marble or limestone, and were used to house the bodies of the deceased, often accompanied by grave goods. The body was often treated with a variety of substances to slow decomposition. This could include the use of oils, resins and spices, or, like this case, wormwood or absinthe.

Consistent temperature and humidity levels inside the burial chamber, could lead to the mineralization of organic materials, including shrouds and even parts of the body, as has occurred with the current burial. This process essentially turns organic matter into a more durable, stone-like substance, preserving it for millennia.

As archaeological investigations and laboratory analyses continue in the coming months, it is expected that more data will emerge from both the hypogeum and the surrounding necropolis, providing valuable insights into the embalming practices of the late antiquity to the early medieval period.

Top image: Right; Entrance to the chamber tomb discovered near Naples.         Source: Left; Italian Ministry of Culture, Right; Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per l’Area Metropolitana di Napoli

By Sahir Pandey