After lying hidden beneath metres of volcanic rock and ash for two millennia, a "once-in-a-century" find has been unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
Archaeologists have discovered a huge, exquisitely luxurious private bathhouse - potentially the largest ever found there - complete with hot, warm and cold rooms, stunning artwork, and a substantial plunge pool.
The spa-like complex sits at the heart of a grand residence uncovered over the last two years during a major excavation. "It's these spaces that really are part of the 'Pompeii effect' - it's almost as if the people had only left a minute ago," Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, told BBC News.
Perhaps remarkably, one third of the ancient Italian city still lies hidden beneath volcanic debris from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, but the new excavation - the most extensive in a generation - is revealing new insights into the sumptuous pleasures of Roman life for the lucky few.
An entire block of Pompeii has now been uncovered, revealing a laundry and bakery, as well as the large private house. It's thought these were all owned by one wealthy individual, possibly Aulus Rustius Verus, an influential Pompeii politician.
The discovery of the bathhouse is further confirmation of his elite status, says Dr Zuchtriegel.
"There are just a few houses that have a private bath complex, so it was something really for the wealthiest of the wealthy," he says. "And this is so huge - it's probably the biggest bath complex in a Pompeiian private home."
The spa complex was equipped to host up to 30 people, reports The Guardian, who would have moved between three pools: the caldarium (hot), the tepidarium (lukewarm) and the frigidarium (cold). The cold room, which contained a courtyard with a portico, was particularly impressive, the experts said.
In 2023, nearly four million people visited Pompeii, which was a record-breaking year.