‘Once in a century’ Pompeii discovery as ancient luxury SPA is saved from ashes with thermal baths & stunning mosaic

SCIENTISTS have made a "once in a lifetime" discovery in Pompeii after unearthing a stunning ancient luxury spa with thermal baths and stunning mosaic designs.

The lavish private bath complex has been found at the heart of a massive residence that got buried under a suffocating blanket of ash during Pompeii's final moments.

Built over 2,000 years ago, the baths - featuring hot, warm and cold rooms - could host up to 30 guests.

They would relax in the spa before heading into an adjacent, black-walled banquet hall, decorated with scenes from Greek mythology.

A central courtyard with a large basin adds to the splendour of the house, which is believed to have been owned by a member of Pompeii's elite in its final years.

The complex is among the largest and most complex private spa sectors known so far in Pompeii.

The baths were unearthed in Regio IX, a large central area of Pompeii Park still unexplored where major archaeological excavations are currently underway.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, said the private spa complex allowed wealthy habitants of Pompeii to take a bath first and then have a banquet.

Guests would shed their robes in a changing room.

They would then relax in the Calidarium, a room with a hot bath, followed by the Tepidarium or warm room, before taking a plunge in a pool of cold water in the Frigidarium.

Afterwards, guests would dine by candlelight in a black-walled banqueting hall decorated with scenes from Greek mythology.

"This discovery underscores how Roman houses were more than private residences," Zuchtriegel said.

"They were stages for public life and self-promotion."

The top archaeologist said the layout recalled scenes from the Roman novel The Satyricon, where banquets and baths were central to displays of wealth and status.

Decorated with frescoes, the complex draws inspiration from Greek culture, emphasizing themes of leisure and erudition.

Zuchtriegel said: "The homeowner sought to create a spectacle, transforming their home into a Greek-style palace and gymnasium."

Recently, archaeologists working in the same area found a bakery, a laundry shop, two villas and the bones of three people who died during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The catastrophic event destroyed both the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The remains of more than 1,000 victims have been found during excavations in Pompeii.

This includes two bodies who were found clutching jewellery and coins and a younger man.

POMPEII VICTIMS' BLOOD BOILED

A 2022 study revealed that those who were unlucky enough to have perished in the disaster died an even more painful death than originally thought.

A study of residue on skeletons found that the people were not suffocated by ash but actually boiled alive until their heads exploded.

Back in the 1980s and 90s, archaeologists discovered hundreds of skeletal remains of people who had huddled at the waters edge in Herculaneum hoping to escape the wrath of the volcano.

Most experts used to agree that the victims died from being suffocated in ash clouds.

However, a more recent study revealed that the super-heated gas that tumbled down the mountainside would have boiled people instantly.

The remains were covered in black and red residue and contained an unusually high amount of iron.

This indicated that blood had been boiled on the bones.

Many of the skulls found showed signs of exploding outwards and had lots of residue left on them.

It is believed that when the victims' heads exploded their brains would have instantly turned to lumps of ash.