At the site of the former ancient city of Pompeii, archaeologists have found the skeletal remains of two men, probably a rich man and his slave, who are believed to have died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius about 2.000 years ago.
Officials at the archaeological site of Pompeii in Italy announced today that parts of the skulls and bones of two men were found during the excavation of the remains of a once luxurious villa with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea, on the outskirts of Pompeii, a city destroyed in a volcanic eruption in AD 79.
In 2017, a stable with the remains of three horses was excavated in that area.
Archaeologists stated that two men apparently managed to escape from the original ash from Mount Vesuvius, but that they perished the next morning in a strong volcanic explosion.
As was done during the discovery of other remains at the site of Pompeii, archaeologists poured plaster into the cavities.
Thanks to this technique, they not only get the shape and position of the victims at the time of death, but the remains take on the "look of a statue", said the general director of the archaeological park, Masimo Osana.
Judging from the skull bones and teeth, one of the men was young, probably between 18 and 25 years old, and had spinal damage. Because of this discovery, archaeologists assumed that he was a slave who worked hard.
The second man, estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, died with his hands on his chest and his legs spread. Fragments of white paint, probably the remains of a collapsed wall, were found near his face.
Both skeletons were found in a room next to an underground corridor that led to the upper level of the villa.
Osana states that the men probably found shelter there, believing that they were better protected in the underground space, but that "on the morning of October 25, 79 CE, a volcanic cloud engulfed Pompeii and killed everyone in its path."
Vesuvius is still an active volcano.
About 23 people lived in Pompeii, 13.000 kilometers southeast of Naples, at the time of the eruption. The remains of the city were discovered in the 16th century, and organized excavations began around 1750.
The archaeological site of Pompeii is a popular tourist attraction, but tourists are currently prohibited from entering it due to measures to combat the coronavirus.
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