In July 2024 the 'Investigating the Archaeology of Death in Pompeii Research Project' excavated two sites, one in the funerary area of Porta Nola (next to the tomb of Obellio Firmo) and the other outside the Porta Sarno area (east of the tomb of Marcus Venerius Secundius). The funerary area investigated to the east of the Porta Sarno corresponds with the area excavated in 1998 for the construction of the double tracks of the Circumvesuviana railway line. The 1998 excavations recorded the presence of more than 50 cremation burials, marked by stelae (columelle) and a funerary monument with an arch, delineated by a boundary wall. The tombs were initially dated to the Late Republican period. In order to fully document the funerary area uncovered in 1998, both planimetrically and stratigraphically, a four metre by four metre trench was excavated. This allowed for the mapping of the area, bioarchaeological studies to be carried out, and investigation into when the necropolis was abandoned. Excavations uncovered a monumental tomb consisting of a wide wall with several niches built into the façade and crowned by a relief of a young married couple. The symbolism of the carved accessories of the wife may identify her as a priestess of Ceres. Additionally, the quality of the carving of the sculptures and their archaic characteristics suggest a Republican date, rare in southern Italy.
