Archaeologists have found 13
Nativity-Scene-like terracotta statuettes during excavations at
the Pompeii archaeological site.
Although the Christmas creche was obviously not a tradition in
the pagan Roman city, experts believe the statues were arranged
in a way that suggests they were part of an ancient ritual.
The pieces were found in a room in a domus near to the house of
Leda and the Swan, where excavation and restoration work is
ongoing.
The small sculptures are about 15 centimetres high.
They include human figures and they were found in an upright
position on a horizontal plane, probably a shelf.
There is also the clay head of a cockerel, a glass pine cone, an
almond and a walnut.
The room that held them, probably the atrium of the house, also
had decorations that have been discovered on the walls.
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