An ancient-Roman ceremonial carriage has been unveiled near the Roman city of Pompeii. The four-wheeled chariot made of iron, bronze and tin with mineralized wooden remains, almost in an excellent state of preservation, was found near the stables of an ancient villa at Civita Giuliana, north of the walls of the ancient city in Italy.

The new find is the first ceremonial carriage unearthed while other chariots, used for transport and other purposes, have been previously found at Pompeii,said officials. Moreover, preserved remains of two men and horses who were victims of Vesuvius eruption were discovered last year.

According to the Park officials, the aim of the excavation around Civita Giuliana was to investigate the illegal activity in the area.

Massimo Osanna, the outgoing director of Pompeii archaeological site called the chariot, “An extraordinary discovery that advances our understanding of the ancient world.” The Culture Minister Dario Fransceschini stated that Pompeii always surprise us with its discoveries and it will continue to do so for many years, with 20 hectares still to be dug up.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. buried the once thriving and sophisticated Roman city of Pompeii under meters of ash and pumice. Pompeii is an archaeological site located in the Compania region of Italy, near the coast of Naples. Architect Domenico Fontana first discovered the ruins at Pompeii in the late 16th century and the excavations began in about 1750. spreading over 66 hectares of land, the archaeological site of Pompeii is a snapshot of Greco-Roman life and a UNESCO world heritage site.