Archaeologists in southern Italy have found the skeleton of an ancient man who died in the devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the dpa agency writes on Sunday.
"We expect a lot from that find," said Francesco Sirano, director of the Ercolano Archaeological Park, south of Naples.
According to him, the discovery should provide an introduction to the last hours of the buried city of Herculaneum, which at that time was located on the site of today's Ercolan, Hina agency reports.
The eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79 also destroyed Pompeii. At the time of the eruption, about 20.000 people lived in Pompeii, most of whom died from poisonous gases from the volcanic rocks.
The skeleton of a man was found with his head facing the sea, and he is believed to be between 40 and 45 years old, said Sirano, whose words are reported by ANSA.
Scientists assume that he was on the run when he was engulfed by a glowing cloud of volcanic ash. As he fell onto his back, it's quite possible that he saw the last glimpses of the ash cloud catching up to him.
An ancient man was found at the site where archaeologists last dug 25 years ago.
So far, the remains of more than 300 people have been found in the place where there was a sandy beach at the time of the eruption.
They were supposedly fleeing in search of refuge and waiting for Pliny the Elder's fleet to rescue them.
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