Ancient icons of Apostles found

The images, which date from the second half of the 4th century, were discovered on the ceiling of a tomb that also includes the earliest known images of the Apostles John and Andrew.

They were uncovered using a new laser technique that allowed restorers to burn off centuries of thick white calcium carbonate deposits without damaging the dark colours of the original paintings underneath.

The paintings adorn what is believed to be the tomb of a noblewoman in the Santa Tecla catacomb and represent some of the earliest evidence of devotion to the apostles in early Christianity, Vatican officials said.