Pompeii graffiti: Cryptoporticus

[richsc]

While visiting the Chicago Field museum and the Pompeii exhibit, I was studying the Cryptoporticus fresco and for some reason was looking along the blank bottom of the wall (it's about 40 feet by 10 feet high). The cracks along the lower central portion suddenly became gladiator graffiti, totally ignored in the exhibit documentation. A docent next to me admitted she had not seen the graffitti in the six weeks she'd been standing at this spot until someone pointed them out to her. She though they were damage by the archaeologist's diggers, but I think not: obviously a bestiarii and venators, and very distinctive face on the one as well. Have these been cataloged and are they known? I have not seen them in any publication, though that is not saying much:

[url:cfpyarhp]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Richsc/gladiator1.jpg[/url]
[url:cfpyarhp]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Richsc/gladiator2.jpg[/url]

[adamparsons]

Well seen as no one has said so can I say thanks for posting this, I haven't seen them either though that isn't saying much!

I suppose stuff like this may just get missed at times, or as you say it may just not have been included in the museums information.

Interesting all the same- cheers!
Adam