Scientists were surprised by the pagan sculptures in the “Christmas style” found in Pompeii

The figurines were called part of the ritual of ancient pagans

Nativity-themed figurines found in ancient Pompeii are said to suggest a pagan ritual. The thirteen sculptures, which include human forms, appear to pay tribute to the cult goddess Cybele and her tragic lover Attis.

Thirteen figurines in a style reminiscent of the Nativity have been found among the ruins of Pompeii, a discovery experts say is evidence of pagan ritual traditions in the ancient Roman city.

According to The Guardian, the terracotta sculptures were discovered in an upright position on what was likely a shelf in the hallway of a house during recent excavations at an archaeological park in southern Italy.

Archaeologists working at Pompeii suggested in a statement that Christmas crèches were apparently not part of the tradition in the pagan city, which was razed to the ground by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but they believe ancient relics were used as part of pagan ritual, given the way the figures were positioned.

Some of the sculptures, which include human figures, appear to pay tribute to the myth of the cult goddess Cybele and her tragic lover Attis.

Other sculptures depict a cockerel’s head, an almond, a walnut and a pine cone.

The corridor in which they were found also had decorations on the walls, The Guardian notes.

The ancient sculptures were found near the House of Leda and the Swan, which takes its name from a sensual fresco depicting Greek myth found in one of its rooms in 2019, and where excavations and restoration work are currently underway. It is believed that this “domus” belonged to a wealthy merchant who wanted to reflect his high level of culture by decorating his home with frescoes inspired by myths.

The ruins of Pompeii were discovered in the 16th century and continue to provide new insights into life in the ancient city, The Guardian recalls. Earlier this month, a cramped bakery where enslaved people were imprisoned and exploited was discovered as part of a house found during excavations in the Regio IX area of ​​the archaeological park. The remains of three victims of the Vesuvius volcano were discovered in one of the premises of the bakery.

In May, the remains of two people believed to have died in the earthquake that accompanied the volcanic eruption were found during excavations on the island of Casti Amanti, or Island of Chaste Lovers, in an area of ​​Pompeii made up of a cluster of houses and a bakery. The skeletons are believed to belong to two men in their 50s.

In June, a striking still life mural resembling a pizza was discovered on a wall in what is believed to have been the hallway of the house, which had a bakery attached to it.