Ancient cosmetics, coins, mouse skeletons found in Pompeii home shed light on life before deadly eruption

October 29, 2026 / 12:59 PM EDT / CBS News

Ancient items found in a sealed closet in Pompeii hint at what life was like in the historic Roman city before it was destroyed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

The closet was located in a home in the central area of the city, the Pompeii Archaeological Park said in a news release. The house had previously been excavated in 1912, but an investigation of the surrounding areas is just now underway.

Inside, archaeologists found cosmetics, an incense burner, a bronze lantern and a balsam jar. Weights, likely used for commercial activity, were also found inside a wooden chest of drawers. The researchers also found vases and pots made of materials such as bronze, glass and ceramic, and a "refined snuff bottle" decorated with pine.

A necklace representing multiple deities and made of several materials was also found. The piece of jewelry might have been considered "magical" during the Roman era, the park said. Now these pieces are known as "crepundia," or rattles. The necklaces have amulets, meant to protect the wearer as a child. Many carried them into adulthood as mementos of childhood, the park said.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/