Mesmo depois de anos de sua descoberta, Pompeia continua surpreendendo arqueólogos.
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New findings in Pompeii
Archaeologists in Italy have unveiled a ceremonial chariot they discovered near the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
The four-wheeled carriage was found near a stable where three horses were uncovered back in 2018. Experts believe it was likely used in festivities and parades.
Pompeii, a city destroyed by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in AD79, is an archaeological treasure. The volcanic eruption buried the city in a thick layer of ash, preserving many of its residents and buildings.
The chariot was found in a double-level portico connected to stables at an ancient villa at Civita Giuliana, north of the walls of the ancient city.
A statement by the park described the ceremonial chariot as having "iron components, beautiful bronze and tin decorations" as well as ropes and floral decoration discovered "almost intact".
Archaeologists say efforts to safely free the chariot took weeks after it first emerged during an excavation on 7 January.
They said the fragility of the materials involved made their effort particularly complex, with special techniques used to uncover it without damage. The operation was carried out in collaboration with a local prosecutor's office amid criminal efforts to loot items of cultural heritage from the site using means such as illegal tunnels.
"This is an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world", Massimo Osanna, the director of the site, said in a press release. He said some of the ornate decorations on the chariot show it could be used for community festivities, possibly including wedding ceremonies.
Dario Franceschini, Italy's Culture Minister, said Pompeii "continues to amaze us with its discoveries and it will do so for many years, with 20 hectares still to be dug up".
The ancient city, which lies around 23km to the south-east of Naples, is a Unesco world heritage site. It is usually one of Italy's most popular tourist spots but is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(Text adapted from the BBC website. You can access the full version here.)
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VOCABULARY
Unveiled, to unveil (verb)
To discover, to remove the veil (metaphorically)
Chariot (noun)
A mean of transportation used in Ancient Rome, consisting of a base with two or four wheels, where a person could stand and be pulled by horses
Ash (noun)
The dark powder that results from burning stuff
Portico (noun)
A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building
Tin (noun)
A silvery-white metal
Prosecutor (noun)
A person, especially a public official, who institutes legal proceedings against someone, representing the state
To loot (verb)
To steal goods from a place, typically during a war or riot
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