Casa dello Scheletro, Ancient Roman domus in Ercolano, Italy
Casa dello Scheletro is a Roman residence in Herculaneum featuring preserved floor mosaics, decorated walls, and multiple rooms arranged around a central atrium. The layout displays how wealthy Roman households organized their living spaces with both functional and decorative elements.
The residence was excavated between 1740 and 1741 and had been buried under volcanic material following Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD. Preservation by ash and pumice allowed exceptional conservation of the structure and its furnishings.
The house displays the religious devotion of wealthy Roman families through its nymphaeum, a shrine dedicated to water deities positioned within the living quarters. This form of household worship was characteristic of affluent homes and reveals how faith was woven into private domestic spaces.
Access is through the Herculaneum archaeological site, which has daily opening hours varying by season. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since reaching the underground rooms involves stairs and uneven terrain.
Human skeletal remains were discovered in this house, showing that not all Herculaneum residents managed to survive the disaster. These remains provide insight into the tragic fate of people who could not escape the sudden destruction.
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