Final answer:
Plaster casts of Pompeii's victims, ritual implements, and works of Egyptian art reflect Pompeii's sacrificial and religious practices. Frescoes from the Villa of the Mysteries provide insights into mystery cult rituals. Small animals were likely used for sacrifices, and crafted items may have had ritual significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artifacts and Sacrificial Items Found in Pompeii
The ancient city of Pompeii holds a rich historical record of life and rituals preserved under the ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Among the discoveries, plaster casts of victims were created by archaeologists to capture the final moments of the inhabitants, which can be seen in the "Garden of the Fugitives" and many of these casts are now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
In addition to the human casts, evidence of ritual practices and religious worship has been found, including many works of art with Egyptian subjects and decorations within private villas, indicating a fusion of cultural and religious influences. Statuettes and ritual implements reveal that some Pompeian residents venerated Egyptian gods. Moreover, the Villa of the Mysteries just outside Pompeii showcases a striking fresco series that depicts a ritual scene from a Dionysian mystery cult, reenacting what may be a marriage rite.
Further insight into sacrificial practices of Pompeii is highlighted by the unusual absence of customary sacrificial rams, suggesting a preference for the holocaust of small animals for ritualistic purposes. Rich archaeological finds like sacul vases and objects made from bone, shells, metal, gold, silver, and copper also provide a glimpse into the variety and craftsmanship of items used potentially in sacrificial or religious contexts.