New Pompeii dig unearths tragedy of Vesuvius victims
A group of archaeologists has made a significant discovery in Pompeii. They unearthed the remains of two victims of a volcanic eruption that occurred almost two thousand years ago.
14 August 2024 13:08
The team of archaeologists has been working for some time in the cities of the present-day Campania region in Italy. The remains were found in the Ninth Region of Pompeii. Previously, during excavations at this site, a bakery, residential buildings, and rooms decorated with small drawings were also discovered.
Discovery in Pompeii
The remains of two people were found in an enclosed, small room that archaeologists believe was a bedroom. Experts think it was chosen as a shelter during the eruption of Vesuvius, which occurred in 79 AD.
According to experts, volcanic material most likely did not enter the bedroom. However, archaeologists believe the pair was trapped inside and died due to being buried under debris.
The body of the found woman was on the bed. "The room was chosen as a refuge by the two people, while waiting for the end of the fall of pumice that had been gradually filling the open spaces for hours in the rest of the house. The woman was found on the bed and was carrying a small cache of treasure with gold, silver and bronze coins, and some jewellery including a pair of gold and pearl earrings," reads a statement from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
A treat for archaeologists
Researchers emphasize that such discoveries are very significant for them because they provide critical information about the inhabitants of ancient cities. Thanks to this, groups of archaeologists can reconstruct the final moments of the local population before the disaster and also rebuild the places where they lived.
It is worth noting that in 79 AD when the city was covered in ash and lava from the eruption of Vesuvius, about 20,000 residents lived in Pompeii at that time.
