Excavations in southern Italy have unearthed terracotta bull heads and a figurine of the Greek god Eros riding a dolphin. The discoveries shine new light on the religious life and rituals of an ancient city, Italian culture ministry officials said. It is the first trove of artefacts identified from a sanctuary in the ancient Greek city of Paestum, which dates from the fifth century BC.

Paestum, famed for its three massive Doric-columned temples, is near the archaeological site of Pompeii, but further down the Almalfi coast. The sanctuary was first identified in 2019 along the ancient city walls of Paestum, southern Italy (Paestum Velia Archeological Park via AP) The small temple was first identified in 2019 along the ancient city walls, but excavations were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Italian officials said.