POTTERY IN ANCIENT TOMBS. 



Fig. S. 



The vases and skeletons were found at different depths and 

 differently disposed. In some cases the vases alone were found, 

 as at d ', in others, the skeletons without, in others, included in 

 sarcophagi ; hut in all cases the skeletons were accompanied by 

 vases. 



9. The Abbe Mazzola maintains, that notwithstanding the pre- 

 sence of pumice stone in the second stratum, it cannot be regarded 

 as the direct result of volcanic action. He concludes that the super- 

 ficial stratum of fertile earth is of comparatively recent formation, 

 and that at a remote epoch the second stratum of terra maschia 

 must have been superficial. Now, as the deposition of the bodies 

 and vases under the terra maschia must have preceded the com- 

 mencement of the formation of the present superficial stratum of 

 vegetable soil, and as the formation of this stratum must have 

 occupied a long succession of ages, he argues that the vases found 

 below the terra maschia must have a date long anterior to that of 

 Homer. He adds, in support of this inference, that these vases 

 represent scenes which have never been alluded to, or described 

 by Homer or succeeding poets, such as the combat of Neptune 

 and Ephialtes ; that these skeletons found at Nola are always 



121 



