Archaeologists have made an extraordinary find at the historic city of Pompeii, uncovering a painting portraying the mythical Greek brother and sister Phrixus and Helle.

Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, characterized the discovery as a moving representation of history repeating itself.

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“History has repeated itself,” said Zuchtriegel, as he gave an update on excavation and restoration work. “It is a beautiful fresco in an excellent state of conservation. The myth of Phrixus and Helle is widespread at Pompeii but it is topical too. They are two refugees at sea, a brother and sister, forced to flee because their stepmother wants rid of them and she does so with deception and corruption. She [Helle] fell into the water and drowned.”

The painting displays lively hues and exceptional skill, portraying Helle on the brink of drowning, her face covered by waves as she reaches out to her sibling.

Zuchtriegel is hopeful that these well-maintained homes will soon be open to the public. He emphasized the cultural and historical importance of this recent discovery.

In AD79, an eruption devastated the historic city of Pompeii and resulted in the death of over 2,000 individuals. Today, the remains of Pompeii are a popular destination for archaeology enthusiasts.

In 2013, Unesco warned that the city, which now welcomes around 4 million visitors annually, would be at risk of losing its status as a world heritage site if Italian authorities did not take steps to better preserve it. The city has since made significant progress in this regard.

New discoveries made in the past few months include 13 figurines representing the Nativity, revealing the presence of pagan rituals in the ancient Roman city. In June, a vibrant fresco depicting a still life resembling a pizza was also found, featuring a potentially controversial ingredient that closely resembles a pineapple.

Source: theguardian.com