Scientists were surprised by the pagan sculptures in the “Christmas style” found in Pompeii

The figurines have been called part of an ancient pagan ritual

Nativity-style figurines found in ancient Pompeii are said to suggest a pagan ritual. The thirteen sculptures, which include human forms, appear to pay tribute to the cult goddess Cybele and her tragic lover Attis.

Photo: Pompeii archaeological park

Thirteen figurines in a style reminiscent of the Nativity have been found among the ruins of Pompeii, a discovery that experts say is evidence of pagan ritual traditions in the ancient Roman city.

The Guardian reports that the terracotta sculptures were discovered in a vertical position on what was probably a shelf in the hallway of a house, during recent excavations at an archaeological park in southern Italy.

Archaeologists working at Pompeii suggested in a statement that Christmas crèches were apparently not part of the tradition in the pagan city, which was razed to the ground by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but they believe ancient relics were used as part of pagan ritual, given the way the figurines were arranged.

Some of the sculptures, which include human figures, appear to pay tribute to the myth of the cult goddess Cybele and her tragic lover Attis.

Other sculptures depict a cockerel's head, an almond, a walnut and a pine cone.

The hallway in which they were found also had wall decorations, notes The Guardian.

The ancient sculptures were found near the House of Leda and the Swan, which takes its name from a sensual fresco depicting Greek myth found in one of its rooms in 2019, and where excavations and restoration work are currently underway. It is believed that this «domus» belonged to a wealthy merchant who wanted to reflect his high level of culture by decorating his home with frescoes inspired by myths.

The ruins of Pompeii were discovered in the 16th century and continue to provide new insights into life in the ancient city, reminds The Guardian. Earlier this month, a cramped bakery where enslaved people were imprisoned and exploited was discovered as part of a house found during excavations in the Regio IX area of ​​the archaeological park. The remains of three victims of Mount Vesuvius were discovered in a bakery.

In May, the remains of two people believed to have died in the earthquake that accompanied the volcanic eruption were found during excavations on the island of Casti Amanti , or the Island of Chaste Lovers, in an area of ​​Pompeii consisting of a cluster of houses and a bakery. The skeletons are believed to be those of two men in their 50s.

In June, a striking still life fresco was discovered on a wall in what is believed to have been the hallway of a house with a bakery attached. reminiscent of pizza.