Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a series of nearly life-size frescoes spanning three walls of an ancient banquet hall. Set against a ruby-red backdrop, the wall paintings depict female followers of Dionysus—the Greek god of wine and ecstasy—engaged in secretive cult rituals.

Uncovered in what was once a spacious banqueting hall that opened onto a garden, the frieze dates back to the 1st century BC, meaning it was nearly 100 years old when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, burying Pompeii in pumice and killing more than 2,000 inhabitants.

The House of Thiasus got its name from the “thiasos,” or sacred procession, of Dionysus. The fresco matches the Second Style of Pompeian wall painting, which was prevalent between the 40s and 30s BC. This means the painting had already existed for over a century when the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried it under ash and pumice.

The new Pompeian frescoes are captivated by their detail and depth, depicting mysterious practices of the cult of Dionysus on a monumental scale. Researchers consider this one of the most significant discoveries in recent years,

The new Pompeian frescoes captivate with their detail and depth. They depict mysterious practices of the cult of Dionysus on a monumental scale. Researchers believe this is one of the most important discoveries of recent years,