8 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

‘Miniature Pompeii’ found beneath Astra cinema in Verona

Archaeologists have uncovered a “miniature Pompeii” in the shape of a well-preserved ancient edifice near Verona, Italy.

An old Roman structure has been discovered during excavations at a defunct cinema in Verona, northern Italy, in what has been characterized as a “miniature Pompeii.” The finding was uncovered during excavations in the basement of the Astra cinema, which is being renovated after being abandoned for more than 20 years.

The structure’s “magnificent frescoed walls,” which have survived mostly unaltered for over 2,000 years, “evokes a tiny Pompeii,” according to Verona’s archaeological superintendent.

Experts are currently not sure what the purpose of the building, which dates back to the 2nd century when the Romans ruled. Experts said it had survived the fire because the roof had collapsed and charred wooden furniture was among the finds.

“A fire seems to have put an end to the attendance of the complex,” the superintendent said.

Experts found items of charred wooden furniture among the remains in the old Astra cinema.
Experts found items of charred wooden furniture among the remains in the old Astra cinema.

Despite the fire, “the environment was preserved intact, with the magnificent colours of the frescoed walls dating back to the second century”.

The discovery and evidence of the fire evoke the meaning of the ancient city of Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. “A calamitous event, in this case, a fire, suddenly marked the end of the complex, leaving traces,” the report added.

The discovery and the fact it survived a fire left archaeologists reminiscent of the city of Pompeii. Undoubtedly, what happened in Pompeii was far more frightening.

Cover Photo: ANSA

Related Articles

Historical Armenian church 500-year-old in southeastern Turkey set to be restored

6 February 2022

6 February 2022

Work has been initiated to transfer the historical Armenian Church, which was built in the 16th century in the province...

Cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago may have caused downfall of the Hopewell Culture

3 February 2022

3 February 2022

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati find evidence of cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago at 11 ancient sites in three...

3,500-Year-Old Hittite Linen Fabric Exhibited for the First Time

10 March 2025

10 March 2025

A remarkable artifact, a piece of Hittite linen fabric dating back 3,500 years, has been publicly exhibited for the first...

Turkey to Present 12 Historic Artifacts to Istanbul Patriarch

10 August 2021

10 August 2021

The government said on Monday that Turkey will deliver stolen icons from ancient local churches to Istanbul’s Fener Greek Patriarch...

Jordan Valley Reveals Earliest Cotton Use in the Ancient Near East

18 December 2022

18 December 2022

During excavations at Tel Tsaf, a 7,000-year-old town in the Jordan Valley, Israeli archaeologists discovered the earliest evidence of cotton...

At Göbeklitepe, believed to be the earliest known Mesolithic temple complex, grinding stones were discovered

26 October 2022

26 October 2022

A recent discovery at Göbeklitepe, the oldest known Mesolithic temple complex, has revealed grinding stones, new finds expected to shed...

Archaeologists have found an intriguing Iron Age “shrine” in the Yorkshire Wolds

19 September 2021

19 September 2021

Archaeologists have discovered an interesting ancient Iron Age “shrine” in the Yorkshire Wolds, which was marked out by meticulously placed...

It may have been designed in Nevali Çori before Göbeklitepe was built

10 October 2021

10 October 2021

Göbeklitepe, Nevali Çori, Karahantepe, and Taştepeler, which will make us rethink what we know about human history, change the information...

One of the oldest known mosques in the world uncovered in Israel

23 June 2022

23 June 2022

A team of Israeli archaeologists has discovered what is one of the oldest known mosques in the world. Israeli archaeologists...

Earliest Known Stone Mold for Coin Production in Roman Hispania Unearthed

27 March 2025

27 March 2025

Researchers from the University of Jaén have made a groundbreaking discovery at the archaeological site of Obulco, modern-day Porcuna, revealing...

An Ampulla was discovered for the first time in the ancient city of Dara, Turkey

11 January 2022

11 January 2022

An ampulla was found for the first time in the ancient city of Dara, located in the province of Mardin...

A first in 35 years! Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city of Kelenderis

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

During this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, founded on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of...

“Euromos”, The Luckiest Ancient City of Anatolia

18 March 2021

18 March 2021

The city in the region called Caria was known from the 5th century BC as Cyramos (Hyramos). During the reign...

Scientists identified a unique engraving that could be the oldest three-dimensional (3D) map in the world

4 January 2025

4 January 2025

Scientists working in the Ségognole 3 cave, located in the famous sandstone massif south of Paris have identified a unique...

Beheaded croc reveals ancient family secrets

10 March 2022

10 March 2022

A missing link in crocodilian evolution and a tragic tale of human-driven extinction. The partially fossilized remains of a giant...