Hidden graffiti at tourist-heavy destination reveals 2,000-year-old love notes

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Archaeologists in Pompeii recently identified 2,000-year-old love notes — a discovery only made because of advanced technology.

ThePompeii Archaeological Park,in a Jan.20 statement, said the messages were identified during research campaigns in 2022 and 2025, with the findings only now coming to light.

The wall inscriptions were found in a corridor linking the theater district to Via Stabiana in the park.

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One inscription appears to reference a woman named Erato, followed by the word “loves” — though the intended subject remains unclear.

Another read, “I’m in a hurry;take care, my Sava, make sure you love me!”

Split image of corridor, depiction of Roman couple

A married couple pictured in ancient Pompeii are seen at right.The newly revealed love notes add to a long list of recent findings emerging from ongoing research at Pompeii.(Pompeii Archaeological Park;DeAgostini/Getty Images)

“Methe, (slave) of Cominia, of Atella, loves Cresto in her heart,” a third message read. 

“May theVenus of Pompeiibe favorable to both of them and may they always live in harmony.”

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Thearchaeological parknoted the wall was excavated over 230 years ago — and experts did not expect “any new information or further stories” from the tourist-heavy area.

“Millions of visitors pass by [this wall] every year,” the statement said.

“Only the use of technology can guarantee a future for all this memory of life lived in Pompeii.”

Researchers digitally charted the wall to record the position of each inscription and identify connections between them.

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Using specialized lighting photography known as Reflectance Transformation Imaging, they captured images from multiple angles to reveal faint or worn markings that would otherwise be difficult to detect.

Looking ahead, researchers are developinga 3D digital platformto further analyze the graffiti — while the park plans to install protective roofing to help preserve the inscriptions for future visitors.

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