Archaeologists have made an unexpected discovery in the Tomba del Cerbero, a 2,000-year-old tomb in Giugliano, Italy, near Naples.

For the first time since its discovery last year, experts physically opened the sarcophagus, revealing a remarkably well-preserved mummy.

The body, found face-up and covered with a shroud, shows signs of careful preservation, including mineralization from the burial chamber’s climate.

The tomb, located in the Phlegraean Fields volcanic region, may belong to a prominent family founder, as suggested by the detailed funerary preparations and artifacts found with the remains, Fox News has reported.

Ongoing research by a team of archaeologists, chemists, and anthropologists, funded by the Ministry of Culture, aims to further explore and understand the findings.

Written by B.C. Begley