2000-year-old tomb of Cerberus discovered in Italy: photo

During the renovation of the water supply system in Giugliano, a suburb of Naples, an intact 2000-year-old (according to preliminary estimates) tomb with frescoes on the ceiling and walls was discovered in pristine condition. The frescoes depict mostly mythological characters.

The tomb was discovered on agricultural land during archaeological research as part of a project to upgrade the city's water supply system. Numerous ancient burials and cremations were found in the tomb, covering a period of at least 400 years from the Republican to the Imperial era, The History Blog reports.

On the edge of the necropolis, archaeologists noticed an opus incertum wall (a style of masonry using uncut stone of various shapes and sizes). It turned out that this was the front wall of a chamber tomb, still covered by a heavy tuff slab over a square entrance, which was as well preserved as the rest of the building. The upper part of the tomb had been cut out to create an opening to be covered with tiles after all the work and funeral rituals were completed.

Archaeologists gained access to the chamber tomb by removing a slab covering the ceiling opening. Inside, the researchers saw walls painted with ornaments and mythological scenes.

The impressive drawing that gave the tomb its name depicts the 12th and most dangerous of Hercules' exploits: when he descended into the realm of Hades to capture the three-headed monster dog Cerberus.