The hidden treasure of Pompeii the discovery of a wonderful painting depicting a legendary scene two thousand years after its burial

Archaeologists have discovered a stunning fresco, 2,000 years after it was buried under volcanic material in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.

This lavish work of art was found in Leda's house, famous for its intricate frescoes. It depicts the mythical Greek twins Phrixus and Heli traveling across the sea on a magical ram while fleeing their evil stepmother.

In the scene, Heli appears after falling from the ram's back, with the waves covering her face, as she extends her hand to her brother Phrixus, shortly before she drowned in the strait between Europe and Asia, according to legend.

The famous city of Pompeii was destroyed in 79 AD due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The city is now one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world.

The vibrantly colored fresco was unveiled by the Pompeii Archaeological Park, the government-backed body that oversees the remains of the former city and ongoing excavations, but damage to the wall has left the magnificent artwork completely unpreserved.

The upper right part of the artwork was missing, and there were two protruding cracks towards the centre.

But the apparent drawing that was found was in amazing condition considering that it is about 2,000 years old.

Dr Sophie Hay, a British archaeologist working at Pompeii Archaeological Park, described the discovery as "magical".

“Seeing the vibrant colors of the newly discovered frescoes at Pompeii is a privilege and pleasure that never fades,” she said. “Seeing the recent discovery of a mythical scene – Phrixus sitting on the back of a ram while his sister Heli drowned – in the room she decorated is no exception.”

In the Greek myth, the two brothers are forced to flee because their stepmother, Ino, wants to get rid of them. The painting shows Brother Phrixus riding a magical ram with a golden fleece, capable of flying or swimming. The sister, Heli, falls into the water and reaches out to her brother for help.

According to the myth, Heli eventually drowns, while Phrixus escapes safely to an area called Colchis, where the ram sacrificed to Zeus (the father of the gods), sending him to heaven.