Ritual artifacts found in well at Ostia

[guy]

 

Artifacts possibly associated with cult rituals have been discovered at the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, Rome's ancient port. Numerous artifacts, dating back to the late 1st and 2nd centuries AD, were unearthed while draining a well. They were remarkably preserved due to the oxygen-deficient mud in which they were submerged.

 

 

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During the emptying of a well, located in front of the steps of the temple of Hercules, about 3 meters deep and still full of water, a large quantity of finds emerged, dating largely between the end of the 1st and 2nd AD, very well preserved because they were immersed in an oxygen-poor mud. These are ceramics of various types, including miniaturistic ones; of lamps, fragments of glass containers, fragments of marble, burnt animal bones and peach stones, certainly used in specific sacred rituals within the archaeological area.

The discovery of burnt bones confirms first of all that animal sacrifices were carried out in the sanctuary (pigs and cattle, certainly), while the common ceramics, also bearing traces of fire, indicate that the meat was cooked and consumed during banquets in honor of divinity. The remains of one or more ritual meals were thrown into the well, the last ones probably when their function had ceased.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/06/rare-artifacts-and-remains-of-ritual-meals-found-in-a-well-at-ostia-antica-in-front-of-the-temple-of-hercules/#:~:text=The finding of burnt bones,in honor of the deity.

 

 

Edited June 11 by guy