Media coverage analysis from major news outlets and archaeology publications

Pompeii Excavation Reveals Largest 2,000-Year-Old Private Bathhouse in 'Once in a Lifetime' Discovery

Jan 17, 2025, 12:34 PM

Archaeologists have unearthed a large private bathhouse in Pompeii, dating back 2,000 years, marking a significant discovery in the ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The bathhouse, found in a private residence, features a series of hot, warm, and cold rooms, a large plunge pool, and is decorated with sumptuous mosaics. The complex, potentially the largest of its kind in a private home in Pompeii, was part of a grand residence that also included a banquet hall adorned with scenes from Greek mythology. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, described the find as a 'once in a lifetime discovery,' highlighting how Roman homes served as stages for public life and self-promotion. The bathhouse was connected to a banquet hall, suggesting that it was used for hosting lavish banquets that were crucial for social and political networking among the city's elite.