Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) made an intriguing discovery during excavations in the French city of Reims. Beneath the ground, the specialists uncovered three exquisite bronze figurines that shed light on the life and culture of ancient Romans.
This is reported by the specialized magazine Heritagedaily. The excavations were conducted on the western outskirts of the ancient Durocortorum — a city that once served as an important administrative center of Roman Gaul.
The entrance to the house astonished researchers with its elegant decor. Majestic columns framed the spacious area, while the walls were adorned with unique frescoes depicting mythological scenes. In particular, archaeologists observed an image of Achilles and Deidamia — a scene that was popular in Rome and indicated the cultural sophistication of the house's owners.
A true surprise came in the form of three bronze figurines. The first depicted Mars – the god of war – in intricate armor. A distinguishing feature of this figurine was the detailed relief: the breastplate featured an image of Medusa, alongside a scene of a she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus.
The second figurine depicted a bull, while the third portrayed a mysterious female figure. On the goddess figurine, archaeologists noted unusual details: the woman held a club of Hercules, was dressed in the skin of the Nemean lion, and wore a helmet adorned with a sphinx.
INRAP specialists emphasize that this find is extremely valuable. The high quality of the figurines and the unique mythological themes suggest that the house belonged to affluent Romans who had a deep respect for the culture and mythology of their time.
The city of Reims, known as Durocortorum during the Roman Empire, was one of the largest settlements in the province. At its peak, the city's population ranged from 30,000 to 50,000 residents, and it possibly even reached up to 100,000.
Previously, "Telegraph" reported that an ancient basalt slab with text was found in Georgia. It may have been written in a lost language.