Italy’s buried city of Pompeii in a discovery that experts say has ‘no parallel’.
A ceremonial carriage was found at a villa close to the walls of ancient Pompeii, which was buried in a volcanic eruption in 79AD.
The almost perfectly preserved four-wheeled carriage made of iron, bronze and tin was found near the stables of an ancient villa at Civita Giuliana, around 765 yards (700 metres) north of the walls of ancient Pompeii.
Mᴀssimo Osanna, the outgoing director of the Pompeii archaeological site, said the carriage was the first of its kind discovered in the area.
Previous excavations have yielded functional vehicles used for transport and work, but not those used for ceremonies.
Osanna said: ‘This is an extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world.’
He added that the carriage would have ‘accompanied festive moments for the community, (such as) parades and processions’.
The culture ministry called it ‘a unique find, without any precedent in Italy’.
