Pompeii: Archaeologists discover skeletons of two men killed when Mount Vesuvius erupted
The skeletons of two middle-aged men have been rediscovered by archaeologists during excavations in the ruins of Pompeii.
Italy’s culture ministry announced the new discovery Tuesday as work continues on the ancient Roman city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago
The remains were recovered from a building known as the “House of Painters at Work” and are thought to belong to two men in their 50s who died in an earthquake linked to the volcanic eruption, a ministry statement said .
Two skeletons have been freshly discovered by archaeologists in Pompeii
/ Parco Archeologico di Pompei vor/AFP via Getty Images (ES-Composite)The director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, Gabriel Basel, said the men were not killed by volcanic ash but by collapsing buildings, noting that wall fragments were found between their broken bones.
“Modern excavation techniques are helping us better understand the inferno that completely destroyed the city of Pompeii within two days, killing many residents,” he said.
Pompeii, 14 miles southeast of Naples, was home to around 13,000 people in AD 79 when it was buried under ash, pumice and dust after suffering the force of an eruption rivaling the power of many atomic bombs.
The culture ministry said “at least 15 to 20 percent of the population” had been killed. Over the past two and a half centuries, archaeologists have recovered the remains of more than 1,300 victims.
First discovered in the 16th century, the Pompeii site has seen a recent surge in archaeological activity aimed at halting years of decay and neglect, thanks in large part to a recently completed EU-funded project Worth of 105 million euros (more than 91 million pounds).
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said conservation efforts and archaeological research would continue.
“The discovery of these two skeletons shows us that we still have a lot of research and excavation to do to bring to light what still lies within this immense treasure,” he said.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/pompeii-archaeology-vesuvius-new-skeletons-italy-b1081432.html Pompeii: Archaeologists discover skeletons of two men killed when Mount Vesuvius erupted
