OLD ROMAN NECROPOLIS

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 13 (Supplement)

OLD ROMAN NECROPOLIS

MUMMY FOUND IN HUNGARIAN CITY. DISCOVERY IN TOMB.

In the old historic Roman city of Acquincum, now known as Tabor Hill, half an hour from Budapest, a mummy has been excavated which is believed to date from the second century, A.D. The tomb is lined with elaborate stone slabs illustrating episodes of animal life which are believed to have formed the ceiling of the sanctuary. The mummy, believed to be that of the wife of a rich merchant, suffered considerable damage after it was exposed to daylight. The embalming was done with resin and is so perfect that experts attribute it to an Egyptian who had been summoned from Alexandria for the purpose. In the stone coffin were a pair of rubber sandals, highly elaborate jewels, food vessels, a "vanity bag" containing various beauty ointments, a carved silver camb, bronze hairpins, an oil lamp and some coins of bronze. Acquincum was, in the days of tlie Roman Empire, a vast cemetery. It is intended to continue the excavations, as it is believed that highly valuable discoveries will reward tlie effort of the diggers. f 2so less than 150 tombs will be uncovered, but in order to continue the work of excavation, something like 50 houses will have to be pulled down on the site where a couple of thousand years ago was the greatest Roman necropolis.